IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS
JUNE 2023 / IGSD NEWSLETTER
IOWA-GRANT DISTRICT OFFICE
Thoughts from the Superintendent.......
Dear Families and Constituents of the Iowa-Grant School District:
School District Finances
Budgeting for the upcoming school year is challenging for several reasons, the most significant being the yet-to-be determined state biennial budget. As the state’s Committee on Joint Finance is still deliberating on levels of school aid and the revenue limits per pupil, we have no hard numbers on which to forecast available revenues. We can develop scenarios, but any of these could be meaningless until figures are known.
Wisconsin’s system of revenue limits on school districts, even as expenditures steadily increase, means that Wisconsin’s public school districts are eventually forced to either reduce expenditures or to seek additional revenue authority through referendum. This dynamic creates situations where school districts have deficit budgets, with shortfalls being covered by funds districts keep in reserve (fund balance).
School districts normally maintain a fund balance to avoid short-term borrowing. Short-term borrowing becomes necessary when fund balances are too low to cover monthly expenses even if their annual budget is in balance. This is because expenditures occur on a monthly basis and revenues are received only on a periodic basis. Simply put, the state aid payments and tax receipts are not received by school districts at the same time expenditures occur. Relying on fund balance for budget shortfalls or operating expenses is not only unsustainable, it also creates additional expenses of interest when a district must borrow funds on a short-term basis.
Considering the above, school districts may either reduce expenditures or seek more revenue authority through referendums, or a combination of both. Any of these solutions though is temporary as long as the untenable dynamics of fixed revenue authority and steadily increasing costs remain unchanged.
Last April, a record number of school districts went to referendum for operations. In one extreme case, the Adams-Friendship School District considered dissolving if their referendum did not pass. We are fortunate in Iowa-Grant to have earned the community’s trust and support. The district passed a referendum for operations in 2016, which put the district in fair financial condition until recently. We are now in our second year of predicted budget deficits. Our budget situation might have been more dire if it had not been for an influx of federal funds through the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Act. After input from the community last fall, we budgeted the last round of these funds for one-time curriculum purchases, some facility repairs, and support for our English Language Learners. Earlier grant funding cycles are encumbered to be used for flooring replacement at IGEMS, some heating and cooling controls in our buildings, and other maintenance items.
When times were better, the district was able to set aside some funds for facility maintenance. A portion of these set-aside funds will now be used for a major, critical electrical service upgrade at the high school and to replace a school van. In spite of these grants, the district will still have deferred maintenance, for example locker rooms in poor condition and other high school athletic facilities which need attention. As the ESSER funds are no longer available, the Iowa-Grant School District may need to seek another referendum for operations and perhaps for facility improvements.
For the immediate future, we have adopted a financial strategy of reducing costs toward the goal of returning to a balanced budget. Whereas school systems are labor intensive, most costs are tied to staffing. Where feasible, we are reducing staffing levels through attrition. As staff retire or resign, we assess how we might still function without hiring positions back. An example of this is our decision to reduce the number of math teachers at the high school (from three to two) for the upcoming school year. This change takes us back to the staffing level we had for eleven of the past 12 years at the high school and is made possible through a teacher resignation at IGEMS.
For the 2023-2024 school year, current 8th grade math teacher Dan Prochaska volunteered to move to a 7th-grade math position open as a result of the teacher's resignation. As the plan for attrition was shared with the math department, long-time high school math teacher Jen Pross also gallantly offered to change assignments become the teacher 8th grade math teacher at IGEMS, citing her passion for teaching 8th-grade algebra and her desire to continue supporting the two high school teachers, whom she has been mentoring since they joined the staff. Our remaining high school math teachers may make some adjustments within the high school regarding which courses each will teach. These staffing decisions are difficult. We appreciate Ms. Pross and Mr. Prochaska as they each volunteered to facilitate these changes.
At IGEMS we plan to reduce the number of interventionists by one, from four to three. One of the interventionists may be assigned to the 5th grade language arts position, as we have received a resignation letter from the current teacher.
As your superintendent, one of my responsibilities is to provide fiscally responsible management of the school system while trying to ensure the highest possible quality of education to our students. It is also important for me to accurately report the financial state of the school district to constituents. Even the best fiscal management however cannot reconcile the impossible situation that nearly every Wisconsin school district faces when the state limits or fixes revenues while expenses steadily increase. We will do all we can to live within our means. If however, it becomes apparent that the quality of education we offer is compromised, we will seek community support in getting relief from the state-imposed revenue limits by going to referendum.
We plan to host another family and community town supper this fall to engage the community in conversation about our mission to provide the highest quality of education possible in partnership with the community. We look for your voice in making Iowa-Grant even better than we imagine, while still operating in the black.
Michael Shimshak
Iowa-Grant Summer Marching Schedule
The Iowa-Grant Band will be marching in our local parades this summer! You'll hear us rockin' out to some Taylor Swift! If your student participates in band and is in 6th-12th grade, please make your best effort to have your student at the following parades. We look and sound our best with as many people participating as possible!
Montfort on June 4th @ 2:00 (1:30 call time)
Livingston is June 25th @ 1:30 (1:00 call time)
Linden is July 30th @ 2:00 (1:30 call time)
Cobb is August 13th @ 2:00 (1:30 call time)
IGEAPSSP Gives Donations
IOWA-GRANT HIGH SCHOOL
IGHS Calendar of Events
6/02 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - 1:30 PM RELEASE
06/12 6:30 PM Board Meeting
CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS
Senior Scholarship & Awards Night
MASON AIDE
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
Livingston-Clifton Fire Department Scholarship
Livingston Community Improvement Scholarship
LESLIE BARTOLO-RIVERA
MultiCultural Outreach Program Scholarship
Thomas B. Jones and Grace Stevenson Jones Scholarship
Boyer Family Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
Cobb- Eden Fire Department Scholarship
Grant Regional Health Care Brokopp Family Scholarship
Rachel Bakken Memorial Scholarship
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
Upland Hills Health Scholarship
HUDSON BROWN
I-G Faculty Scholarship
HOPE CONNOLLY
UW Madison Academic Merit Scholarship
Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship
Class of 1969 Scholarship
Iowa-Grant Lions Club Scholarship
Thomas B. Jones & Grace Stevenson Jones Scholarship
Grant County Farm Progress Days Scholarship
Doug & Janice Steinback Family Scholarship
Derek Lendosky Memorial Scholarship
IGEF James E. Schroeder Scholarship
Iowa County Cattlemen Scholarship
JALYSSA CORDTS
UWP Academic Merit Scholarship
UWP Iowa-Grant High School Community Scholarship
IGEF Robert & Martha Klindt Scholarship
Royal Bank Scholarship
Panther Pride Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
YESSICA GARCIA
UW Madison Academic Excellence Scholarship
Florence & Wilson Anderson Scholarship
MATTHEW GRINDEY
SWTC Daryl Tresner Scholarship
JONAH HOEPER
Wings Over Wisconsin Scholarship
Community First Bank Scholarship
Pheasants Forever Scholarship
UW Stevens Point Academic Excellence Scholarship
Ritchie-Bowers-Kohout Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9298 Scholarship
MADYSON HOGAN
Rewey Alumni Association Scholarship
BRAIDEN HOGE
Pete & Katie Spurley Memorial Scholarship
SWTC George & Marilyn Gibson Memorial Scholarship
Southwest Wisconsin All Terrain Club Scholarship
MACKENZIE HYNES
I-G Faculty Scholarship
MADALYN JOHNSON
I-G Faculty Scholarship
INDIGO KEMNITZER
Linden Community Scholarship
University of Dubuque Scholarship
OWEN LAUFENBERG
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
William “Sparky” Caygill Memorial Scholarship
ALEXANDER LEE
Merlyn Fritsch Memorial Scholarship
IVY LINDNER
UWP Academic Merit Scholarship
UWP Iowa-Grant High School Community Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
IGEAPSSP Scholarship
Community First Bank Scholarship
KARSTYN MCINTOSH
Wisconsin Masonic Foundation Mineral Point Lodge #1 Scholarship
MCKENNA MCPHAIL
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
I-G Student Spirit Council Scholarship
SWTC Scholarship for Iowa=Grant Community Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
SKYE MILESTONE
UWP Harriet E. Gibson Scholarship
Rewey Alumni Association Scholarship
KENADIE MUNSON
American Red Cross Scholarship
University of Minnesota Patton Award
University of Minnesota Presidential Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Academic Decathlon Scholarship
Cobb Lions Club Scholarship
Iowa-Grant Class of 1969 Scholarship
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
BAILEY ORTH
I-G Faculty Scholarship
JENNA PARADIS
Sath & Cheryl (Goke) Menon Scholarship
CADEN PENNEKAMP
Gary Neis Memorial Scholarship
Royal Bank Scholarship
KELSEY PHILLIPS
I-G Faculty Scholarship
DEANDRE PIERCE
SWTC 3M MAP Scholarship
Wayne & Marion Davis Memorial Scholarship
Southwest Wisconsin All Terrain Club Scholarship
ALEX POPPLE
I- G Student Council Scholarship
Kurt Garvey Award
Iowa-Grant Youth Boys Basketball Club Scholarship
Roy Schambow Memorial Scholarship
Panther Pride Scholarship
SWTC Koenecke Memorial Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
BLAKE REEVES
I-G Faculty Scholarship
Iowa-Grant Youth Boys Basketball Club Scholarship
TY ROGERS
I-G Faculty Scholarship
MADELYN ROGSTAD
UW – Lacrosse Academic Merit Scholarship
Iowa-Grant Class of 1969 Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
I-G Student Council Scholarship
IGEF Dennis & Marilyn Carr Scholarship
IGEF Limmex Scholarship
Delta 3 Engineering Scholarship
Cobb Lions Club Scholarship
Community First Bank Scholarship
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
Livingston Community Improvement Scholarship
AUDREY ROWE
American Red Cross Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
Grant Regional Health Center Auxiliary Scholarship
Linden Community Scholarship
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
Rachel Bakken Memorial Scholarship
IGEF Bernadine Olson Memorial Scholarship
IGEF J. Bruce & Margaret L. Bradley Scholarship
ASHLEY RUNDE
Eastern Masonic Temple
Livingston Community Improvement
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
JERAN RUX
UWP Keri Pustina Memorial Scholarship
UWP Pioneer Commitment Scholarship
UWP Opportunity Scholarship
UWP Academic Success Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
Iowa-Grant High School Boys Basketball Scholarship
Livingston Community Improvement Scholarship
LAIGHTON SCHAFER
Gerald Fritsch Memorial Scholarship
IGEF Mick Gundlach Scholarship
SWTC Thomas Kieffer Scholarship
JULIA SEARLS
IGEF James E. Schroeder Scholarship
I-G FFA Scholarship
Thomas B. Jones & Grace Stevenson Jones Scholarship
Wisconsin Holstein Foundation Scholarship
Kansas State Wildcat Scholarship
Kansas State Agriculture Commitment Scholarship
Iowa County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Farmers Appreciation Day Scholarship
Robert Graber S scholarship
Compeer Financial Agricultural Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
ALEX SEDBROOK
Scot Industries Scholarship
Cobb Lions Club Scholarship
BEKKA SHEMAK
I-G FFA Alumni Scholarship
IGEF James E. Schroeder Scholarship
SWTC Lenz Family Scholarship
Montfort Veterinary Service Scholarship
Livingston Community Improvement Scholarship
CAMERON SHORES
UWP Academic Merit Scholarship
UWP Harriet E. Gibbon Scholarship
Lenys A. Dietzman Scholarship
Beau’s 5th Quarter Foundation Scholarship
Livingston Community Improvement Scholarship
IGEAPSSP Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
ALEXIYIA SIEBERT
I-G Faculty Scholarship
ALEXIS THOMA-BLANKENBERG
Grant County DHIA Scholarship
Premier Cooperative Scholarship
National Farmers Organization Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
I-G FFA Alumni Scholarship
Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative Scholarship
IGEF Glen & Connie Gard Scholarship
Platteville Consumers Cooperative Scholarship
Compeer Financial Agriculture Scholarship
Royal Bank Scholarship
UWP Iowa-Grant High School Community Scholarship
UWP Town Bank Agriculture Lender Community Scholarship
UWP Academic Merit Scholarship
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
ASHLEY VARHOLIK
I-G Student Council Scholarship
ALEXIS VAVRICKA
Raimer Family Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
ELIZABETH VOLENEC
Iowa-Grant Class of 1969 Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
Grand Canyon University Chancellor’s Scholarship
Grand Canyon University Priority Scholarship
Clare Bank Scholarship
IGEF Limmex Scholarship
IGEF Dorothy Lepeska Scholarship
IGEF Christianson Family Scholarship
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
Iowa-Grant Class of 1969 Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
CAITYLYN WETTER
American Red Cross Scholarship
I-G Music Parents Scholarship
IGEF Dennis & Marilyn Carr Scholarship
IGEF Harold Colthard Scholarship
Thomas B. Jones & Grace Stevenson Jones Scholarship
Cobb Lions Club Scholarship
IGEAPSSP Scholarship
Iowa-Grant Class of 1969 Scholarship
UW Oshkosh Endowment for Musical Excellence Scholarship
UW Oshkosh Campus Life Scholarship
I-G Lions Club Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
EVIE WHITAKER
Wisconsin Technical Excellence Scholarship
IGEF James E. Schroeder Scholarship
Livingston-Clifton Fire Department Scholarship
Compeer Financial Agriculture Scholarship
I-G FFA/David Bendorf Memorial Scholarship
Montfort Veterinary Service Scholarship
Platteville Elks Lodge Scholarship
ELLA ZIMMER
I-G Music Parents
IGEF Mae E. Austin
Olivia Grace Zimmer Memorial Scholarship
I-G Booster Club Scholarship
Thank You Iowa-Grant Education Foundation
Pictured l-r Top row - IGEF Members - Mike Peat, Fred Skaife, Peggy Biddick, Rachel Zimmer, and Connie Gard.
Middle Row - Audrey R., Bekka S., Julia S., Evie W., Elizabeth V., and Hope C.
Bottom Row - Caitlyn W., Madelyn R., Jalyssa C., Ella Z., Alexis T. B., and Laighton S.
Thank You Community First Bank
Thank You Class of 1973 and Thank You IGEF
Panther Volleyball Summer Camp
This camp started back in 1987 and has kept going strong ever since!
We offer a ton of coaching experience which includes our Camp Lead Coach, Gillian Pakula (IG Alum/Head Coach at Oshkosh West), Camp Director, Marla Simon (former IG Head Coach) and the rest of our coaching staff which is top notch! This camp teaches skills, teamwork and passion for volleyball, along with lots & lots of fun!
CAMP DATES are June 26-29th for grades 3rd -12th (entering in the fall). New this year boys can join in the grades 3rd- 8th! It is held at Iowa-Grant Elementary gyms. A FREE t-shirt to all campers that register by June 20th - which is also the camp deadline! See link provided to enter camp - send forms/fees by mail only!
If any questions, feel free to email Marla Simon @ msimon@igs.k12.wi.us!
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT PANTHER VB CAMP!
IOWA-GRANT ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL
From the Desk of Mrs. Gallagher
Happy summer! Students, I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy some time with your family and friends. That is truly what life is about. The 2022-23 school year is wrapping up and we are sending a great group of 8th-grade students to the high school. It is bittersweet but I am looking forward to the 7th grade moving into the role of 8th-grade leaders next school year. The office will be getting to work on things for next year.
There are some summer opportunities for students if you are interested.
Summer School will run this summer!
1st session: June 12-15 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
2nd session: July 10-13 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
3rd session: August 7-10 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
Please call the IGEMS office if you are interested in signing up still.
We also offer T-ball and Coach pitch softball and baseball. T-ball and Coach pitch will be held in the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays from July 10 - August 3 with:
T-Ball 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Coach Pitch 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Please call the office if you have any questions.
From the Desk of Mrs. Bast
What do you do when you are about to do something new and feel just a little bit scared?
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall was the perfect book to read aloud to the 4K students during storytime on June 1st. Jabari learned to swim. He passed his swimming test, and he is a good jumper. But, Jabari has never climbed the ladder of the diving board or jumped off of one. He is ready, but he is also a little nervous, excited, and scared. His dad offers him some good advice: take a deep breath, say to yourself, “I”m ready,” and remember new experiences are like surprises–and surprises are fun!
The soon-to-be kindergarten students can relate to Jabari in this story. They know what it feels like to be both ready and a little bit scared of what is to come. Other students in the building are most likely feeling the same way as they say good-bye to their teachers and fellow classmates. But, they are ready. They are ready for vacation and they are ready for the next grade level, too. Thank you to all of the IGEMS staff members, parents, and others who have helped our Panthers reach this point. I’m proud of every student and so proud of the teamwork I see in our building and between home and school every day.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy summer vacation!
Office Summer Hours
Monday -Thursday 6:30 am -4:00 pm
Friday 7:00am-11:00am (some Fridays will be closed)
Feel free to email dhasburgh@igs.k12.wi.us or ckennicker@igs.k12.wi.us or call 608-943-6311 with any questions.
Custom school supply kits for the IGEMS 2023-2024 school year are available until July 18th, 2023 for sale on the Bright School Kitz website. Kits are available for every grade EC-8th grade, including 8th-grade Algebra. Purchased kits will be available on Back-to-School night. Kits will not be available for purchase at school or on Back-to-School night. If you have any questions please contact Christi Kennicker, at ckennicker@igs.k12.wi.us if you have further questions.
4th Graders Tour Bevan Mine
Many of the first settlers to this area were lead miners. On May 10th, the 4th graders went to tour Bevan lead and zinc mine in Platteville, We were also able to ride an electric train similar to those that would have been used to transport zinc inside the mine to the shaft. It was great to reinforce our learning about the history of our area with this first-hand experience.
8th Grade Promotion
Summers Award Recipients
2023 Iowa-Grant Girls and Boys Basketball Skills Camp
Hello to all the Parents/Guardians of Basket-Ballers,
If your daughter or son is interested in learning about the game of basketball, improving her skills, working hard, and having fun on the court please keep June 19 - 22 open for a great opportunity to enjoy some basketball court time. The camp will be directed by Coach Martinez and basketball staff.
Here are the details:
Date: June 19 - 22 *** REGISTRATION IS DUE BY June 10th, 2023***
Where: The IGEMS Gyms
Session Times:
Grades 2nd-4th ...............9:00 - 10:30
Grades 5th -8th...............11:00 - 12:30
Cost ................$35.00 (includes your camp t-shirt) Please drop payment off at the IGEMS office
or bring payment on day 1 of camp.
Checks can be made out to Panther Girls Basketball
REGISTRATION IS DUE BY JUNE 10th, 2023.
This is for girls/boys entering 2nd through 8th grade for the 2023-24 school year.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSft63xzFbRbB36qNJbxWS-DrAgNZNX1g-Qg21y5ihaQYUmkjA/viewform
Pen Pal Meet and Greet
We'd like to thank all the Pen Pals for their time and thoughtful letters and gifts. A big thank you to Joanne Dalsoren for donating a lot of envelopes and a roll of stamps to keep us writing next year!
Magic in 4K - Marvelous Magic Show
Reading Millionaires
The following students read a million or more words this school year. Reading a million words is equivalent to roughly 15 books of at least 200 pages. We applaud these students for putting in the time and effort to enhance their reading skills. Reading is power and we have some powerful students!
Pictured front row (L-R): Isaiah H. (Gr. 6), Ryker H. (Gr. 6; 2 Million words), George L. (Gr. 4), & Lucas W. (Gr. 7). Back Row (L-R): Trystynn M. (Gr. 8), Terrey P. (Gr. 8), June S. (Gr. 8), Lily L. (Gr. 8), Harlei R. (Gr. 8), & Shane R. (Gr. 6; 4 Million words!) Missing from the picture is Mason H. (Gr. 8; 2 Million words).
Added right after the picture was taken was our newest reading millionaire and the youngest of this group is Eden P in Gr. 2!
Thank you to Laura Daniels for presenting to 4th grade students during our Ag in the Classroom week.
1st Grade Field Trip
4th Grade visits Hazel Dell
Creative Communication Poetry Contest
Kindergarten Graduation
Trees for Tomorrow
ABOUT IOWA-GRANT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: mshimshak@igs.k12.wi.us
Website: igs.k12.wi.us/
Location: 498 County Road IG, Livingston, WI, USA
Phone: 608-943-6312
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IowaGrantPanthers/