Prairie du Chien School Board holds semi virtual meeting
By Ted Pennekamp
The Prairie du Chien School Board held a semi-virtual meeting Monday night from the Prairie du Chien City Hall. Board President Lonnie Achenbach, board member Lynn O’Kane, board member Tom Peterson, and interim District Administrator Bryce Bird sat more than six feet apart in the City Hall meeting room. Board members Cassie Hubanks, Michael Higgins, and Nick Gilberts attended remotely and were visible on a projector screen.
There were some technical problems that will need to be worked out before any future virtual meetings, but Monday night’s meeting was able to proceed.
One of the first agenda items was to create a permanent policy for future virtual meetings, which the board approved. The policy is needed in case more virtual meetings are necessary.
District Administrator Bird said there will be some energy saving proposals regarding lighting ready for the next regular board meeting.
Outgoing board member Kyle Kozelka, who did not seek re-election, received a plaque for his dedicated service as a member of the board from 2014-2020.
Andy Banasik, who will be taking over as the new district administrator July 1, resigned as the head boys varsity basketball coach. Banasik had a 404-263 record in 29 seasons as a head varsity coach. He coached his first two seasons at Marshfield Columbus Catholic. In his 27 seasons at Prairie du Chien, Banasik had a record of 389-243.
It was noted that a possible instructional hours waiver, a Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System waiver and graduation requirements will be discussed in the future by the board.
Numerous individuals, businesses and organizations gave donations to the Pick-a-Pack program. Hardee’s, Culver’s, McDonald’s, Cabela’s and Kwik Trip donated to the Grab n Go meal program. Couleecap received a very large donation from Aldi’s and was unable to utilize all of it, so Couleecap passed along 18 flats (12 loaves per flat) of sandwich bread and seven flats of hamburger buns to the Grab n Go program.
