By Ben Rodgers
Editor

It’s happy days for the Ashwaubenon School District, all things considered.

When classrooms are finally full again, thanks to a majority of Ashwaubenon voters, students will see some changes thanks to two “yes” votes on referendum questions asked April 7.

Specifically, voters approved an operational referendum question to exceed the state-imposed revenue cap by $730,000 a year for five years, and a capital referendum for $10.05 million in general obligation bonds for a facility-wide improvement program.

The two votes mean homeowners in Ashwaubenon will pay an extra 65 cents per $1,000 of home value for the near future.

Both passed with more than 60 percent of the vote. That shows voters in Ashwaubenon care about local students.

What is really interesting about those questions is what the operational referendum will accomplish in regards to mental health support.

The district’s plans presented at public forums leading up to the spring election called for hiring:

• Three school counselors.

• Two social workers.

• Two social emotional learning coaches.

• Two graduation coaches – partnering with the Boys & Girls Club.

• Adding a .33 full-time equivalent for a full-time at-risk position at the high school.

Those plans also include adding social emotional learning materials and training.

In this new education reality where money from the state is often thrown at problems to increase security regarding student safety, the Ashwaubenon School District is looking to stop those problems before they escalate to nightmarish scenarios.

District leaders and voters recognized fundamental additions to student mental health support provide as much long-term defense as bullet-proof windows or security cameras.

The fact is more mental health supports mean more students get access to the resources they need to properly cope with and handle situations that may arise.

Ashwaubenon is focusing on staffing these positions at the early grades so problems are nipped in the bud early before they can escalate.

With a school funding formula as complex as Wisconsin’s, district leaders saw the only way to add these positions was to go to referendum, which voters approved.

Congratulations are due for district administration, the school board and voters for taking a proactive step toward increasing student safety at the root of the problem.

With the other question, $3.9 million of the $10.05 million will improve physical security at two elementary schools.

Voters also approved adding air conditioning at three schools, the cost to run it, repairing to the high school track and other things.

No two school districts are the same, and all have problems they could remedy, but district leaders across the state need to take note of this approach for adding mental health services.

Congratulations again Ashwaubenon. You have much to be proud for.