NEW GLARUS - Discussion on consolidating the New Glarus, Monticello and Bellville school districts is done, but not dead.
Dr. William Conzemius, New Glarus' interim administrator, and Board President Mark Romich both said consolidation of the three districts is not an option at this time, which became evident through the information they gathered from Bellville and Monticello school districts in recent weeks.
Conzemius held recent meetings with school administrators Karen Ballin of Monticello and Randy Freese of Belleville. Also, Romich said he recently spoke with board presidents of both schools.
Romich said although Monticello and Belleville were not ready to consolidate school districts, both wanted to be "kept in the loop" of any discussions in the future.
Though formal consolidation is not part of any short-term plans, Conzemius and board members are encouraged by the interest Belleville school administrators have in sharing some classes with New Glarus. Belleville is about seven miles from New Glarus.
Conzemius said Belleville's interest was high. He and Jason Tadlock, middle school/high school principal, spoke with Belleville school officials Friday.
New Glarus and Belleville administrators discussed possibly combining "some programs and activities as soon as the 2010-11 school year," Conzemius told the board.
A variety of details remain to be discussed including, the impact on teachers in both districts, bussing students and understanding how combining classes impacts students' studies, he said.
But Conzemius is optimistic and recommended the school district begin exploring the possibilities immediately.
"Part of the beauty of co-opping is that it eliminates open enrollment, which is a negative financial piece for both schools," Conzemius said. "Shared programming is the best of both worlds."
Board member Mary Anne Oemichen strongly encouraged the co-op of classes, even one or two classes this fall. She said the school districts should also look for other ways to co-op and share resources.
"Keeping the momentum going, even is a small way, is a good thing," she added.
Oemichen said Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, have told her that "somewhere down the road, small schools may not have a choice" but to consolidate.
"Legislative incentives hope to get small districts to look at the option," she said.
Nobody from the public attended New Glarus School Board's special meeting on the consolidation issue Monday. Romich said the meeting was to bring some closure to the discussion in the district. He hoped the fact that nobody came to ask questions showed that the board members had done their job getting the information out.
Dr. William Conzemius, New Glarus' interim administrator, and Board President Mark Romich both said consolidation of the three districts is not an option at this time, which became evident through the information they gathered from Bellville and Monticello school districts in recent weeks.
Conzemius held recent meetings with school administrators Karen Ballin of Monticello and Randy Freese of Belleville. Also, Romich said he recently spoke with board presidents of both schools.
Romich said although Monticello and Belleville were not ready to consolidate school districts, both wanted to be "kept in the loop" of any discussions in the future.
Though formal consolidation is not part of any short-term plans, Conzemius and board members are encouraged by the interest Belleville school administrators have in sharing some classes with New Glarus. Belleville is about seven miles from New Glarus.
Conzemius said Belleville's interest was high. He and Jason Tadlock, middle school/high school principal, spoke with Belleville school officials Friday.
New Glarus and Belleville administrators discussed possibly combining "some programs and activities as soon as the 2010-11 school year," Conzemius told the board.
A variety of details remain to be discussed including, the impact on teachers in both districts, bussing students and understanding how combining classes impacts students' studies, he said.
But Conzemius is optimistic and recommended the school district begin exploring the possibilities immediately.
"Part of the beauty of co-opping is that it eliminates open enrollment, which is a negative financial piece for both schools," Conzemius said. "Shared programming is the best of both worlds."
Board member Mary Anne Oemichen strongly encouraged the co-op of classes, even one or two classes this fall. She said the school districts should also look for other ways to co-op and share resources.
"Keeping the momentum going, even is a small way, is a good thing," she added.
Oemichen said Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, have told her that "somewhere down the road, small schools may not have a choice" but to consolidate.
"Legislative incentives hope to get small districts to look at the option," she said.
Nobody from the public attended New Glarus School Board's special meeting on the consolidation issue Monday. Romich said the meeting was to bring some closure to the discussion in the district. He hoped the fact that nobody came to ask questions showed that the board members had done their job getting the information out.