Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!
I extend a warm welcome back to our students, families, and staff. The Hudson School District community is an amazing place to live, learn and grow. I am proud to be a Raider!
This year marks the conclusion of our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. I look forward to sharing our progress throughout the coming school year and getting your input as we start our long-range strategic planning for 2025-2030! Last spring we had over 150 community members, parents, students and staff participate in three days of conversation regarding their preferred future for the Hudson School District. These conversations provide the Board of Education and administration with valuable insight as we look to the future. We are committed to continuing Hudson’s tradition of success.
We know every child has the potential to achieve great things, and we are here to support and challenge them along the way. We also know their success depends on the School District working in partnership with families and the community. Schools are asked to do more and more each year. We are in a unique period of time where the majority of school districts across Wisconsin are experiencing stagnant or declining student enrollment. State aid for school districts has not kept pace with inflation. We can’t do this work alone. We need you to be engaged. I invite you to participate in future community conversations and to reach out if you have questions throughout the year.
My last State-of-the-Hudson Schools message highlighted the growing funding challenge faced by the Hudson School District. From 1994-2009, revenue limit caps were adjusted for inflation. During this time, most school districts were able to keep up with ongoing needs. However, with the loss of adjustments for inflation 80% of Wisconsin school districts have turned to their community voters asking for a levy override in the form of an Operational Referendum. The Hudson School District has listened to our stakeholders and made difficult decisions cutting nearly $1 million from the 2023-2024 budget and cutting yet another $1 million from the 2024-2025 budget. The School District has taken steps to avoid cuts that harm student learning. Despite budget reductions, the School District will need to ask the community for additional tax dollars through an Operational Referendum.
Throughout the coming school year, we will highlight the many successes and achievements that are happening because you have chosen to invest in our children and their future. Together, we will keep our Hudson Raider community strong, vibrant and committed to being one of the highest performing school districts in the state.
Sincerely,
Nick Ouellette, PhD
Superintendent of Schools
715.377.3702
