News Summary

The Hudson School Board is holding a community meeting to gather input on the potential closure of Houlton and Willow River Elementary Schools. The meeting is set for September 22, following budget-related discussions that ruled out keeping all six elementary schools open. Residents are encouraged to submit questions online ahead of the meeting to ensure their concerns are addressed. The board aims to address financial constraints while balancing student needs. Community feedback highlights the impact of school closures on class sizes and the overall community dynamic.

Hudson School Board to Hold Community Meeting Amid Potential Elementary School Closures

The Hudson School Board will hold a community meeting on September 22 at 6 p.m. at Hudson Middle School to gather public input regarding the potential closure of Houlton and Willow River Elementary Schools. This meeting follows recent discussions where the board ruled out the option of keeping all six elementary schools open due to ongoing budget deficits.

As part of its engagement with the community, the board has requested that residents submit questions via an online form prior to the meeting. This strategy aims to ensure that the public’s concerns and inquiries are adequately addressed during the meeting. The decision to hold the meeting comes after a regular board meeting and the annual meeting that took place earlier this week at the high school auditorium, where citizens raised alarm about the implications of possible school closures.

The discussions surrounding the closures were further intensified by remarks from Scott Ellingson, the President of the Hudson Education Association. He urged the board to reconsider its recent decision and keep both elementary schools operational, highlighting the significant repercussions that closing these schools could have on the overall district.

Superintendent Nick Ouellette has outlined a timeline for potential school closures, with a final decision on the matter expected by October. Additionally, boundary adjustments for the remaining four elementary schools are expected to be evaluated, slated for February 2026, along with staffing considerations that will arise in spring 2026.

Despite a recent referendum passed by voters in April, which provided funding for the district, school board members acknowledge that financial constraints necessitate ongoing cost-cutting measures. Bob Baumann, the School Board President, raised concerns about whether the public is fully aware of the financial realities involved in maintaining both schools.

Community feedback has been heavily focused on the personal impacts these decisions could have. Residents like Kristen Kessler, a parent with a child expected to join Hudson’s Class of 2040, expressed concerns regarding how potential school closures would not only affect class sizes but also the overall community dynamic. Kessler called for a cautious approach to monitoring the consequences of closing schools, emphasizing the importance of tracking factors like capacity, enrollment, and impacts on student learning.

The Hudson School Board is currently navigating a challenging landscape where it must balance the pressing needs of students against realities of budgetary limitations and declining enrollment numbers. As the board prepares for the upcoming community meeting, stakeholders are encouraged to actively participate and share their thoughts to influence the decision-making process regarding the future of Houlton and Willow River Elementary Schools.

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Additional Resources

• Hudson Star Observer: School Closure Meeting
• Wikipedia: Hudson, Wisconsin
• Hudson Star Observer: Gov. Tony Evers’ Visit
• Google Search: Hudson School District closures
• Long Beach Post: Hudson Elementary Closure
• Google Scholar: Hudson School closures
• News 12: Hudson Valley Schools Closure
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School Closure
• Times Union: School Schedule Modifications
• Google News: Hudson School District

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