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On Feb. 19, the Rhinelander community voted to support the school district’s request for a three-year, $4 million per year, referendum. On behalf of everyone at the School District of Rhinelander, thank you for your support!

Your support allows the district to maintain current educational program offerings, to maintain our smaller classes and allows us to continue to be focused on the education of our children. Our staff is sincerely grateful for the community’s support.

Understanding that the referendum is only a three-year solution to the district’s budget issues, Superintendent Roger Erdahl continues to meet with regional superintendents to address this issue. Incoming Superintendent Kelli Jacobi is committed to continuing Dr. Amdahl’s work on this.

At several of our community referendum information meetings, there were people who expressed an interest in organizing an effort to reach out to our legislators and move forward in addressing the issue of school funding. The School District of Rhinelander is planning to host a community meeting to begin work on this. We will invite the community to help us keep this as a top priority.

As we reach the end of March, students are getting ready for spring break. There is no school for students on Monday, March 25. Staff will have professional development sessions.

District staff will also be “working” at the Friendship House as part of the restaurant’s annual district fundraiser. Stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and be served by your favorite teacher, principal and other staff members.
School will be closed March 29 through April 7. We hope our students, their families and our staff have a fun and safe holiday. During spring break, Rhinelander High School will be hosting law enforcement training sessions from April 1 through 3. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Department will welcome local and regional law enforcement agencies. This training is part of the district’s continuing efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff during a crisis situation.

As we look ahead to the approaching end of the school year, we are ever grateful for our community’s support. On May 20, the annual scholarship awards ceremony will be held at Rhinelander High School. Thanks to the generosity of 78 donors, selected students will receive financial assistance for their college educations.
Plans for summer school are underway, and registration is now open for elementary and middle school classes. Visit our website, rhinelander.k12.wi.us, for summer school enrollment information.

Enrollment is also underway for the 2013-14 four-year old kindergarten. Registration packets are available at our elementary schools and on our website.
Our weekly e-newsletter provides updates on the great things happening in our schools, as well as community events and activities. If you would like to join the more than 3,800 people receiving the Hodag Pride weekly e-newsletter, feel free to call or email me.

Kim Swisher is available at (715) 354-9745 or swishkim@rhinelander.k12.wi.us