IOWA-GRANT'S PANTHER PRESS

It’s been a great summer. Despite the rain and storms, we are still getting in some ball games, parades, and family picnics. From the vantage point of school administration, summer is nearly over once we pass the 4th of July. Throughout my career, I may have lived life a little out of balance, never really taking much of a vacation. This year, we did, and I realize how important it is to rejuvenate. The Badlands, the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Medicine Bow National Forest, and the dark sky at Clayton Lake in New Mexico, each gave us some solace, inspiration, and awe. So refreshed, it is great to back in the district getting ready for the year ahead.

And we do have a big year ahead of us in the Iowa-Grant School District as the November election will have the school referendum question, which will determine which future is possible for the district. I look forward to scheduling informational meetings with the board of education so that all voters can make an informed choice. While the school cannot expend district resources to promote a yes-vote, community groups may, and I’ve heard that there already may be some interest to do so. As your school superintendent, I have worked with the board of education to be as frugal as possible, reducing costs by not replacing retiring staff unless absolutely necessary. It is my opinion that the reductions needed to bring the budget to fiscal stability will impact the quality of programing the district can provide.

In a recent board meeting, I quoted Billy Joel, by quipping “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Nothing sums it up better as the need for school districts in Wisconsin to seek periodic approval for revenue, is the result of the state’s defunding of public education over the past twenty years. Allowable revenue increases have not matched inflationary costs. Revenues are tied to enrollment, which when declining, does not always match evenly with staffing needs. While school boards in general have tried to keep teacher salaries competitive, real wages for teachers have declined over the past twenty years and Wisconsin has slipped in its ranking among the fifty states in its commitment to public education.

A predicted consequence is manifesting now, as it is becoming more and more difficult to hire teachers. We have been fortunate to-date but are still in need of a math teacher for the high school. Our candidate declined for a position in another district offering a significantly higher salary. Even though are regionally competitive, we cannot compete with Platteville and the first and second-ring suburbs of Madison.

This said, I observe that we have something special and unique here at Iowa-Grant. I appreciate the community involvement and support and the core values so apparent across the district. We have capitalized on the federal dollars to upgrade our electrical system at the high school, replace flooring at IGEMs, and to purchase curriculum. The school enjoy the support of businesses, banks, booster clubs, youth sports leaders, etc. Our band will soon be donning new uniforms. The district history includes a coming together more than half a century ago to build high school which has stood the test of time. I find this legacy encouraging and look forward to the year ahead. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about the referendum or any ideas about how we may improve our school district.

Michael Shimshak

7/15 8:30 AM - 11:30 PM Sports Physicals - IMC

7/23 7:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sports Physicals - IMC

7/24 6:00 PM Fall Sports Meeting

DISTINGUISHED HONORS

SENIORS

Nikolei F., Elyse L., Makaya M., Angelina P., Rachel R., Lilliana V., Sophie V.

JUNIORS

Bret C., Lakyn H., Emma P., Dawson R., Katie R., Addison S., Addysen S.

SOPHOMORES

Pajessa B., Trinity B., Jaxon B., William F., Emma G., Quinn H., Rilya H., Noah L., Delaney R., Laila R., Everett Z.

FRESHMEN

Cash A., Ella D., Abigail D., Addeline E., Landon F., Jacob G., Connor J., Madelyn K., Presley L., Riley M., Serenity R., Brayden S., Carly S., June S., Deacon W., Owen W.

HIGH HONORS

SENIORS

Jenna C., Amiah F., Grace G., Emmerson M., Ashton S.

JUNIORS

Linnea E., Gavin H., Faith K., BreAnn K., Jocelyn R.R., William W.

SOPHOMORES

Adeline F., Brooklyn J., Quentin K., Addison K., Treaton L., Sam L., Ellison M., Gabriella M., Lucinda S., Hunter S.

FRESHMEN

Wyatt A., Noah G., Brock H., Mason H., Lillian L., Calvin M., Valeria R. R., Grant R., Harlei R., Angel B.B., Kendra W., Jack W.

HONORS

SENIORS

Jayden B., Cristian G., Charles H., Lillian P., Lillian W.

JUNIORS

Lucas C., Blake D., Corynne H., Hayden H., Skyler R., Myles R.

SOPHOMORES

Maddox F., Abigail H., Josie J., Lexie K., Nele N., Myles P., Alexandria S., Addyson W.

FRESHMEN

Jason B.-G., Griffen C., Holdyn D., Aiden L., Kyleigh M., Samantha S., Beckem S., Charlie V.

Thank you Community First Bank of Livingston as well as all the community members who support the Iowa-Grant FFA Program! Earlier this month 3 FFA officers (Carter R. , CJ S. and Ella P.) volunteered their time by serving rootbeer floats during the Cattlemen Steak Feed hosted by the bank. The generosity and support of the community made this donation possible!

IGHS Band lesson will start the week of July 8th for 6 weeks in the IGHS Band Room.

Happy July! Summer school will be starting next week. We will run 2 weeks in July and Missoula and 1 week in August. The pool bus will continue to run after the week of the 4th of July.

Missoula Children’s Theater, Heather Mayne, and Darcy Breuer will present Sleeping Beauty. This is for students who registered during the school year and will rehearse the week of August 5-10 with a performance on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

There is still a little room in some of our summer opportunities for students if you are interested.

• 1st session: July 8-11 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

• 2nd session: July 15-18 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

• 3rd session: August 12-15 (2 sections 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

To sign up for July Session 1 classes, go to:

To sign up for JULY Session 2 classes, go to:

To sign up for AUGUST classes, go to:

There will be a snack/recess in between sections.

We also offer T-ball and Coach pitch softball and baseball. This runs in the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays from July 8 - August 1 with:

T-Ball 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

Coach Pitch 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

I am very proud to be part of the Iowa-Grant Panther family. Thank you for your ongoing support of this district and I look forward to seeing some of the students back this month!

There is still time to sign up for Summer School. Session 1 runs from July 8th - July 11th, Session 2 runs from July 15th - 18th and Session 3 runs from August 12th - 15th.

Session 1:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5A928A2FBC61-48739060-july#/

Session 2:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5A928A2FBC61-48741724-july#/

Session 3:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C48A5A928A2FBC61-48742107-august#/

Our 5th and 6th graders had the wonderful opportunity to work with the UW-Madison Extension Office on various dates in April and May with mental health presentations. There was a series that introduced mental health and well-being to our students. Some of the topics covered were stress, handling anger, and self-talk. We appreciated the activities Dan Brandt led with students.

Thank you, PTC for providing IGEMS with Bounce Houses for gym class last Thursday. The students had a great time.