2026-27 School Year: Helping You Navigate Change
Thank you for trusting the Hustisford School District to provide a high quality education to students in our community. We have been doing so for the past 175 years and have a great deal of pride in our work.
There have been many challenges facing our district this year, with most being beyond the control of the School Board. Unfortunately, the referendum failed, which has now started a cascading effect for the 2026-27 school year. The failure of the referendum and the community petition on the State Trust Fund loan has created conditions that have not been seen in a school district in recent history. We must now implement one of our contingency plans for the 2026-27 school year.
Please complete this family survey by TUESDAY, APRIL 21. See additional details in this letter emailed to all staff and families on April 8.
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We understand that our Hustisford School District students, staff and families have many questions about the 2026-2027 school year.
Please submit your questions here and we will respond.
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🧒 Talking With Children About Uncertainty
Early Childhood / Elementary Students
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✔ What Helps
- Keep explanations simple and brief
- Focus on what is known right now
- Emphasize safety and routine
💬 Try Saying
- “Adults are working on some decisions about the school.”
- “Right now, your job is to keep learning and being a kid.”
- “There will always be adults here to help take care of you.”
⚠ Watch For
- Clinginess or increased dependence
- Sleep changes or physical complaints
- Regression in behavior
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✔ What Helps
- Provide honest, limited details
- Correct misinformation calmly
- Normalize mixed emotions
💬 Try Saying
- “Some decisions are still being worked out.”
- “It’s okay to feel unsure or have questions.”
- “We will share more when we know more.”
⚠ Watch For
- Withdrawal or irritability
- Peer-driven misinformation
- Changes in motivation
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✔ What Helps
- Be direct and transparent
- Acknowledge real concerns (graduation, future plans)
- Emphasize support and planning
💬 Try Saying
- “There are possible changes, but decisions are not final.”
- “We will help you plan the next steps.”
- “You don’t have to figure this out alone.”
⚠ Watch For
- Anxiety about the future
- Frustration or disengagement
- Attendance or academic concerns
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🚫 What Adults Should Avoid
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Avoid increasing anxiety unintentionally:
- Speculating about worst-case scenarios
- Sharing rumors or unconfirmed information
- Discussing adult stress in front of children
- Minimizing student concerns
When unsure, it is okay to say:
- “I don’t know yet.”
- “That is still being decided.”
- “We will share updates when we know more.”
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🧠 Signs a Student May Need Additional Support
Consider reaching out for support if you notice:
- Ongoing anxiety, sadness, or irritability
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Drop in school performance
- Withdrawal from others
- Frequent physical complaints
- Expressions of hopelessness
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🎯 Support for Students With IEPs
Important Assurance for Families:
Students with disabilities will continue to receive services aligned with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Services and supports remain protected under state and federal law
- Planning will ensure continuity of services
- Updates will be shared as decisions are made
Questions? Contact the district directly for individualized support.
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👨👩👧 Guidance for Families
Help Handling Change
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✔ What You Can Do
- Check in regularly with your child
- Ask what they’ve heard
- Provide simple, honest answers
- Maintain routines
- Limit exposure to stressful adult conversations
💬 Helpful Questions
- What have you heard about this?”
- “How are you feeling?”
- “What questions do you have?
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🏫 Guidance for Staff
Help Handling Change
Response Framework:
- Acknowledge: “I can tell this is on your mind.”
- Clarify: “What we know right now is…”
- Avoid speculation: “Some details are still being decided.”
- Support: “We will make sure you are supported.”
➡ Refer complex questions to administration
➡ Connect distressed students to support staff
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📞 Counseling & Mental Health Resources
Local & Regional
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🏫 School-Based Support
- School Counselor: Megan Petras
- Special Education Director/School Psychologist: Alex Pishler
- Elementary Principal: Peter Moe
- MS/HS Principal: Clint Bushey
📍 Dodge County & Immediate Area
- Dodge County Human Services and Health Department
→ Mental health services, crisis support, and family services
- Dodge County 24-Hour Crisis Line
→ Phone: (920) 386-4094
- Marshfield Medical Center Beaver Dam
→ Behavioral health and outpatient counseling
- Community Care, Inc.
→ Wraparound and family support services
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📍 Nearby Communities (Beaver Dam, Watertown, Juneau, Hartford)
- Watertown Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health
- NAMI Dodge County
→ Family education, support groups
- Family Health La Clinica
→ Integrated behavioral health services
📍 Regional Providers (Greater Access Options)
- Rogers Behavioral Health
- Aurora Behavioral Health Center
- Children's Wisconsin
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🚨 Crisis Support (24/7)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
🔔 District Updates
The district will continue to provide updates through official communication channels as more information becomes available.
Please rely on district communications for accurate, up-to-date information.
📩 Contact Us
For questions or support:
Todd Bugnaki
Interim Superintendent
(920) 349-8109
bugnackit@hustisford.k12.wi.us
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