Dept. of Public Instruction: State board votes to affirm dissolution of Hustisford School District

MADISON — The School District Boundary Appeal Board voted unanimously today, 7-0, to affirm the dissolution of the Hustisford School District and transfer the entire district to the Dodgeland School District. The independent, seven-member SDBAB reached its decision following public hearings, public comment, and discussion, with all seven members voting in favor. The decision marks the first dissolution of a Wisconsin school district since the Ondossagon School District dissolved in 1990.

“The Hustisford School District is a casualty of decades of an antiquated, broken school funding formula that has failed to keep pace with the costs of educating our children,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “This decision reflects the difficult choices that school districts and communities across Wisconsin are having to make as they are forced to do more with less due to a lack of support from the state. Our schools and communities deserve better, and if Wisconsin cannot get that done for our kids, opportunities for a better future will be lost.

“I know this decision was not easy for anyone to make, and I thank the members serving on the independent School District Boundary Appeal Board for their time, work, and consideration. I also want to recognize and thank the Hustisford School Board and Superintendent Todd Bugnacki for their thoughtful leadership, transparency, and willingness to raise these difficult but very real concerns. These decisions are never easy, and the courage to confront challenging circumstances openly and honestly deserves our respect. Their commitment to doing what is best for students and their community throughout this process is deeply appreciated.”

The SDBAB consists of two representatives each from small, medium and large districts, and the state superintendent’s designee. The board addresses issues related to district creation and dissolution, annexation or boundary disputes. Additional information on the dissolution process can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s website.