THE 1FORT REPORT

Our elementary math interventionists and coaches have an interesting dual role. Part of their work puts them directly alongside students who may need some additional support. Another part puts them alongside teachers, coaching, collaborating, looking closely at instruction, and helping all of us continue to get better.

Those two parts of the job also give them a pretty unique view of math learning in our schools. They see what happens when a student struggles and then begins to make connections. They also see what happens when teachers learn together, try something new, reflect on their practice, and continue to refine what happens in their classrooms.

Middle and high schools are interesting places because so much is happening at once. There’s the academic learning we expect every day, but there’s also learning how to manage greater independence, navigate relationships, handle conflict, advocate for yourself, and find your place.

Joining me are Matt Wolf, principal of Fort Atkinson Middle School, and Leigh Ann Scheuerell, principal of Fort Atkinson High School. Together, they have a pretty unique vantage point on some of the most formative years in a young person’s life.

For our youngest learners, school is about so much more than what happens during reading or math. It's where children begin discovering who they are as learners. They make friends. They learn how to be part of a community. They take risks, make mistakes, develop independence, and begin building relationships with adults outside their families who can have an incredible influence on their lives.

That's why we're calling today's episode The Magic of a New School Year.

I invited the principals of our four elementary schools to sit down together and talk about what these first weeks of school are really like—the excitement, the challenges, what they're seeing from kids and staff, and what they're looking forward to in the year ahead.

On November 3, voters in the School District of Fort Atkinson will be asked to consider a $7.1 million recurring operational referendum.

But before we get very far, there's an important piece of context that can easily get lost in that number.

This isn't a proposal to add $7.1 million in new programs or new spending on top of what we're doing today.

Our district is currently operating with $6.5 million in annual funding that voters approved through the 2024 operational referendum. That referendum was intentionally temporary, and that funding expires- or sunsets- at the end of next school year.

Joining are three people who have been very close to this work: Board President Kory Knickrehm, Board Treasurer Robynn Selle, and our Director of Business Services, Nathan Knitt.

Communities do not grow accidentally. Strong schools, housing opportunities, business growth, infrastructure, and quality of life are all connected. And much of that work happens quietly over years through planning, partnerships, and people willing to think long-term about the future of a community.

So tonight, we’re joined by two people deeply involved in that work here in Fort Atkinson.

First, Deb Reinbold, President of Thrive Economic Development and the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, who works closely with businesses, workforce initiatives, housing efforts, and regional economic growth.

And also, Rebecca Houseman, City Manager for the City of Fort Atkinson, who helps lead many of the planning, infrastructure, development, and long-range community initiatives shaping the city’s future.

Today, we have the opportunity to hear directly from four members of the Fort Atkinson High School Class of 2026 representing different experiences, perspectives, interests, and future paths as they reflect on their journey through 1Fort and what lies ahead. Jenna Wudtke, Mackenna Farrell, Sawyer Beers and Ignacio Contreras.

Behind every graduating class are individual journeys filled with challenges, growth, friendships, memories, uncertainty, success, and countless moments that help shape who students become along the way.

Joining me is Amanda Moehling, our Director of Buildings and Grounds. Amanda leads the work across all of our facilities… six+ school buildings, our grounds, and all of the systems and teams that keep everything running the way it should.

Her team is responsible for so much of what we’ve been talking about today… from the daily care of our spaces, to navigating construction projects, to planning for the future through ongoing facilities reviews—all while making sure that every building is ready, every day.

And just as important, she leads a group of people who care deeply about this district and the experience we create for our students and staff.

Here in 1Fort, our archery program has grown into something truly special. What started as an opportunity has evolved into a pathway for students across our elementary, middle, and high schools to find their place, develop focus and confidence, and experience success in a way that is uniquely their own.

Let’s take a closer look at what that means right here in Fort Atkinson by welcoming Jeff Jensen, a long-time physical education teacher at Purdy Elementary School as well as our Archery Team Coach, Addison Maxwell a senior and long-time archery team member, and Jordan Kopps one of our volunteer coaches.

In our middle school, seventh grade students have been preparing for the third annual Civil War Showcase at the Hoard Museum... an experience where they’re not just learning about history, they’re researching it, building it, presenting it, and ultimately sharing their learning with our community. It’s hands-on, it’s collaborative, and it’s rooted in student interest- which makes it both engaging and meaningful.

Joining me today are two of our middle school social studies teachers, Josh Twedt and Matt Champeny, who are helping lead this work.

Today we’re joined by three members of our K-12 art department, Angie Szabo, Tess Seichter, and Elizabeth Bochat, to talk about what art education looks like across 1Fort, the experiences students have as they grow as artists, and the impact these programs and events have on both our students and our community.

It’s a great opportunity to shine a light on the creativity happening in our classrooms every day and to celebrate the important role the arts play in the lives of our students.