TalonTimes
Newsletter of Southern Door School District
Our District, Our Story, Our Future: Building Brighter Tomorrows Together
Volume 41 Issue 3
A Note from the Superintendent I hope this message finds you well as we continue to move forward with the 2025-26 school year. The school year has brought many successes already. Students in all grade levels have been working diligently with our staff on their required coursework. Our winter sports and extracurricular activities concluded with strong finishes, and our spring programs are busy getting prepared for their seasons. As we celebrate these achievements, we are also preparing for a critical step in securing the long-term financial stability of our schools. On April 7, 2026, Southern Door voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed three-year, non-recurring Operational Referendum. Early voting begins March 24. If approved, this measure will allow the district to exceed the state-imposed revenue lim-
it by $3,150,000 annually for the next three school years while keeping the mill rate flat at its current $6.99. These funds are crucial for maintaining the staff needed to have a quality educational program and address essential operational and maintenance needs. The current three-year operational referendum will expire at the end of this school year. This new referendum will ensure we can continue providing exceptional learning experiences for all students while addressing ongoing operational requirements. We understand that a decision like this requires thoughtful consideration. To help ensure transparency and clarity, we have been sharing detailed information about the referendum, including opportunities for community members
to ask questions in order to make an informed voting decision. Your voice matters in this process, and I encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or need further information. Please feel free to contact me directly via email or phone at kkrutzik@sdsd.k12.wi.us or 920-825-7311. I am always happy to discuss this important initiative and its impact on our district and community. Thank you for your continued partnership and support in shaping the future of the Southern Door County School District. Dr. Kevin Krutzik Superintendent
Our District, Our Story, Our Future: The Path to April 7 Building on the community consensus gathered from our Strategic Priorities Survey, the Southern Door County School District is moving forward with a clear vision for long-term sustainability and is pursuing an operational referendum on the April 7, 2026, ballot. This decision comes as our current $975,000 referendum is set to expire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. To ensure we can continue providing the high-quality education our students deserve, the district has organized its plan around Four Pillars of financial and educational stability. Pillar 1: Maintaining District Points of Pride We are committed to protecting the achievements that define our district, including a 97% graduation rate and a history of exceeding expectations ratings on state report cards. Our students continue to excel in rigorous AP and Dual-Enrollment courses, 4K-12 STEAM programs, and a wide array of extracurricular activities. Notably, the district has also achieved a tax mill rate decrease for six consecutive years. Pillar 2: Honoring Past Cost-Saving Measures The district has already taken significant steps to operate efficiently. Over the last six years, we have:
Pillar 3: Investing in Our Future (The Referendum Plan) The approved resolution asks voters to consider a threeyear, $3,150,000 annual operational referendum. Because of proactive debt management, this plan is projected to keep the mill rate steady at an estimated $6.99. The funding will be allocated to areas identified as top priorities in the Strategic Priorities Survey: • Staff Recruitment & Retention ($855,000): Competitive compensation to retain high-quality educators in our classrooms. • Student Achievement ($315,000): Funding for curriculum, professional learning, and mandated intervention positions. • Operations & Safety ($280,000): Security upgrades and addressing rising utility and insurance costs. • Facilities Maintenance ($27,000): Addressing annual repairs and critical plumbing/water main updates. Pillar 4: Consequences of a Failed Referendum
• Reduced staff by 24 employees, impacting areas from IT and nursing to maintenance and administration.
Without this additional funding, the district faces a $1,673,000 budget deficit that will necessitate deep cuts for the 2026-2027 school year. These potential reductions include:
• Combined leadership roles, such as merging the Elementary and Middle School Principal positions.
• Loss of Personnel: Reducing 10 teachers and 6 associates, leading to larger class sizes.
• Delayed essential purchases for technology, textbooks, and the bus fleet.
• Program Cuts: Reductions in elective programs, athletic offerings, and student travel for events.
• Reduced classroom budgets and increased class sizes in most areas.
• Resource Delays: Postponing the replacement of student computers and infrastructure.
Your Vote, Your Voice: Important Dates As we approach the finish line, please keep these key dates in mind to ensure your voice is heard: • Early Voting Begins: March 24, 2026 • Referendum Election Day: April 7, 2026 For a deeper dive into the referendum information, please visit the district website at www.sdsd.k12.wi.us and click on “Operational Referendum Information.”
Update on the April 7 School Board Election As our community prepares for the April 7, 2026, Spring Election, we are providing an important update regarding the Board of Education ballot. This year, three seats on the School Board are up for election for full threeyear terms. However, as of the January filing deadline, only one candidate (Kim Starr) filed the required Declaration of Candidacy and Campaign Registration Statement. Under Wisconsin law, even if only one name is printed on the ballot, all three seats will be filled based on the election results. • The Registered Candidate: The individual on the ballot will secure one seat. • Write-In Candidates: The remaining two seats will be awarded to the
individuals who receive the highest number of write-in votes. The “One-Vote” Reality: In Wisconsin, if no one officially campaigns as a writein, a person could technically be elected to the School Board with as little as one vote. The “Refusal to Serve” & Appointment Process If they are unable or unwilling to serve, the candidate would simply not complete the necessary paperwork and/ or not take the oath of office by April 27. If this happens, or if no write-in votes are cast at all, a vacancy is declared. Per Wis. Stat. § 17.26, the remaining members of the School Board are then
responsible for: Posting a Public Notice: The district will solicit applications from interested residents. Public Interviews: The Board will interview candidates in an open session. Appointment by Majority: The Board will vote to appoint a qualified elector to fill the seat. This appointee will serve until a successor is elected in the next Spring Election (April 2027). Our School Board oversees the district’s vision, approves the annual budget, and ensures we are meeting the educational needs of every student. A board is most effective when it is composed of elected members who represent the diverse voices of our district.
Turning the Page: New “Hook Books” Spark a Reading Revolution in 3rd Grade! Third-grade teacher Krista Schley is on a mission to make every student a lifelong reader. This winter, that mission got a major boost! Recognizing that her classroom library needed a modern refresh to truly engage young readers, Kris-
ta successfully secured two generous grants to purchase “hook books”—the kind of exciting, current titles that students simply can’t put down. This literary upgrade was made possible by:
• The Brussels Club: $300
• The Max & Gayle Laird Educational Fund (via the Door County Community Foundation): $700
Southern Door Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2026
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Lions
Thanks to these local partners, our students are diving into fresh adventures and discovering the magic of a great story. Check out the photos to see the 3rd-grade classes showing off their new favorite reads!
Digging Up History: Southern Door’s Hidden Treasures
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Southern Door School District 4K & 5K Registration Now Open for 2026–2027 The Southern Door County School District is pleased to announce that registration for 4K and 5K for the 2026–2027 school year is now open. We are excited to welcome our youngest learners and their families to our school community. Our 4K and 5K programs provide a strong foundation for academic and social-emotional growth. Through engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences, students build early literacy and math skills, develop positive peer relationships, and grow in independence and confidence. To be eligible, students must be four years old on or before September 1, 2026, for 4K enrollment, and five years old on or before September 1, 2026, for 5K enrollment. To support our working families, the district also offers a before and after-school program. Morning care begins at 6:00 a.m., and after-school care is available until 5:30 p.m. This program provides a safe, structured, and nurturing
environment for students outside of regular school hours. Families with eligible children are encouraged to complete the registration process as soon as possible to assist us with planning for staffing and classroom placement. Early registration helps ensure a smooth and successful start to the school year. In addition, a summer school program specifically designed to help students transition into 4K and 5K is available during the month of June. If you would like to schedule a personalized family tour, please contact Elementary and Middle School Principal Marc Vandenhouten at 920825-7321. Evening and weekend appointments are available for interested families. For additional information regarding eligibility requirements, required documentation, and registration procedures, please contact Angie Paplham - apaplham@sdsd.k12. wi.us or 920-825-7333.
From the Court To the Mat: Eagles Sour Through the WInter Season
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