Congratulations to the Hudson School District for receiving the 2020 Best Communities for Music Education award. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to school districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

Awards are determined based on annual survey information. Survey questions are aligned with goals for equity and access to music education for all students, and also with national standards for music education.  This survey seeks to support communities everywhere that are working to assure music education opportunities for all students. Criteria selection gauges funding, participation, opportunity, standards, community, facilities, and other factors that affect access to comprehensive music education.

Thank you to our Hudson School District music teachers and the many community partners who support music as an essential component of learning in the lives of children!

The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health offers the following information as a guide for families on the topic of screen time (click here to read Supporting Child Well-being Through Healthy Use of Screen Time).

“In Wisconsin, adolescents who experience episodes of major depression have steadily increased. At the same time, there has been a growing body of evidence to suggest the amount of screen time usage may initiate or worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression, reduce social connectedness, and contribute to poor social and emotional wellness.”

The Hudson School District is excited to report that the School District is ranked in the top 8% of Wisconsin school districts according to the recently released Wisconsin School Report Cards. All of the Hudson Schools scored an Exceeds or Significantly Exceeds Expectations on their report cards. The School District is particularly proud of progress made on closing learning gaps and making academic progress for all children.

Individual 2018-2019 School Report Cards can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

• EP Rock Elementary School
• Houlton Elementary School
• Hudson Prairie Elementary School
• North Hudson Elementary School
• River Crest Elementary School
• Willow River Elementary School
• Hudson Middle School
• Hudson High School
• Hudson School District

Click on the following link to learn more about Wisconsin School Report Cards: https://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards

Raider homecoming spirit spread across the district today, as the Spirit Bus along with the football team, marching band and the Raidaires visited our elementary schools; promoting Raider Pride, sportsmanship and having some homecoming fun. Go Raiders!

It’s that time of the year to get signed up for Destination Imagination!

We are hosting a DI Maker Day so you can find out what DI is all about. on

• Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019
• 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Willow River Elementary School.
• All children are welcome.
• Click here to get your registration form.

Drop in any time, stay for the fun. We will provide:

• A room full of crazy, creative things for you to create with!
• All the information you need to join a DI team or start your own team (between 2 and 7 kids, any grade, K through 12)
• Copies of the New Challenges!

Questions? Contact: Liz Malanaphy at malanaea@hudsonraiders.org or Anita Stilwell at stilwea@hudsonraiders.org 

Monday’s Annual Meeting of the Board of Education opened with Dr. Ouellette presenting highlights of the District’s achievements and the Board’s focus areas. Click here to view Dr. Ouellette’s presentation.

Presentations were also provided by Board Treasurer Heather Logelin and Tim Erickson, Chief Financial and Operations Officer. Together, they covered the 2019-2020 proposed budget and levy, budget challenges and assumptions, and the impact on property taxes.

Budget Challenges:

• Address reduced state funding levels.
• Address instructional needs for all learners including: staff professional development, curriculum adoption, resource materials, and services to meet student needs.
• Maintain student to teacher ratios within class size guidelines.
• Sustainable funding for long-term maintenance and capital improvement plan for all facilities.

Budget Assumptions:

• State equalization aid is projected to be $836,000 less or 3.8% lower than last year and per pupil categorical aid has been increased by $88 per student under the first year of the biennial state budget or a $496,000 increase over last year.
• The estimated mill rate of $10.35 is down 1.54% from last year’s $10.51. Overall property valuation is estimated to increase 10.09% compared to 3.7% last year. The state average is 6.0%
• Total under levy stands at approximately $3,300,000, which is direct tax relief for property owners in the Hudson School District.
• Salaries and benefits are budgeted to increase $1,830,000 or 4.0% over last and include new staffing, staffing reductions, Teacher Salary Structure, Support Staff Compensation System, Hudson Lead Salary Structure, and Board approved increase of 2.5%

Below is the Annual Meeting Booklet