School board updated on PSAT results, vandalism at high school
By Steve Van Kooten
The Prairie du Chien Board of Education reviewed PSAT testing results, vandalism concerns at the high school and a resolution for faculty retirement compensation during their November 18 board meeting.
In attendance were board members Michael Higgins, Jr., Lonnie Achenbach, Dustin Brewer, Noah White, Jim Hackett, Nick Gilberts and Lacie Anthony. District Administrator Andy Banasik, GEDO/Mighty River principal Mike Liddell, Vicki Waller and the school’s three principals were also in attendance.
PSAT and recognition
Ten students took the PSAT test, scoring an average of 1,069, according to unofficial test scores submitted to the board by middle and high school principal Doug Morris. The maximum score on the PSAT is 1,520.
According to Morris, Prairie students beat the national average (920) by an average of 149 points.
The PSAT (preliminary scholastic aptitude test) is a practice test taken by juniors in high school to prepare for the SAT, which is the standard college entrance exam taken by students during their senior year.
The scores show a positive trend for the district’s academic achievement. The high school and middle school have also received favorable rankings from the U.S. News and World Report.
The high school is ranked 55th in the state of Wisconsin and 1,956th in the nation. The annual report ranked 569 high schools in Wisconsin and more than 2,500 in the country. The school is in the top 10 percent of Wisconsin high schools.
According to the report, PdC High has a 99 percent graduation rate, 322 students enrolled in grades 9–12 and a college readiness score of 40.7. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1.
The school’s aggregate score card was 88.92, with 70 percent of students taking at least one advanced placement exam.
Bluff View Middle School is ranked as the 54th best middle school in Wisconsin, which places it in the top 15 percent. The report ranked approximately 360 schools.
According to the report, Bluff View has 196 students in grades 6–8 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1. The school is tied for 100th place in reading proficiency and 51st place for math proficiency.
According to Morris, the U.S. News and World Report only consider grades 7 and 8 for their rankings.
Morris said, “Congratulations to the middle school staff. They do an amazing job [with] the things they do. It is recognized.”
The U.S. News and World Report releases rankings and analysis on a variety of institutions and markets each year, including hospitals, schools and colleges.
Vandalism and prevention
According to Morris, two restrooms were closed at the high school due to vandalism concerns.
“We’ve got vandalism in our boys bathroom and not just vandalism: antisemitism. We’ve had swastikas again in the boys bathrooms here.”
The administration is unsure about when the vandalism occurred or who the perpetrators are; however, Morris told the board he has submitted a report to the Anti-Defamation League. This is the third time in two years that the school has discovered anti-Semitic graffiti in one of the restrooms.
“We do have Jewish staff members, and it’s kind of scary for them to see that stuff happen here in the school,” said Morris.
Morris said one of the restrooms will be reopened to students on November 19, but the other is expected to remain closed until after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The school’s administration is planning to address the matter with the entire male student body.
Morris and Banasik also referenced the district’s STOPit app, an anonymous reporting tool students can utilize to voice concerns ranging from facility issues, bullying, and self-harm, among others.
“Kids can report anything, and right now, we have cleared 680-something reports in the last two years from the STOPit app,” said Morris.
When a report is made, STOPit sends notifications to the campus’ administration.
“Some of those things we can address immediately, like, ‘So and so has a vape today,’ and we’re able to address that,” said Morris. “It’s one of the best tools we have to combat bullying.”
Faculty retirement
The board adopted a resolution for faculty retirement compensation.
Teachers that retire at the Prairie du Chien School District can receive $150 per day for unused sick days up to a maximum of 120 days, or $18,000. Support staff can receive $90 per day for unused sick days up to a maximum of 120 days, or $10,800.
Banasik said a staff member has to retire in the Prairie du Chien School District to access that benefit.
The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for December 9.
Other business
• The district held an open working session on November 25 to discuss financial planning after the district’s failed referendum proposal. The referendum, which requested $10 million over four years, received approximately 1,800 ‘yes’ votes and more than 2,300 ‘no’ votes. By January, the district has to decide whether to submit a new referendum proposal for the spring elections.
• Banasik confirmed that the district received payment from the Trump campaign for use of the PAAC on September 28. Of the $7,050 received, $3,200 was for IT and tech support provided by Dependable Solutions. The school originally invoiced the campaign on October 11 and received full payment on October 29.
