Pecatonica Area School District is monitoring the rise in measles cases in Iowa and Lafayette counties ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Dani Scott shared plans to communicate with families, staff and the community during the school board’s Aug. 17 regular meeting. The district is working with public health to share immunization requirements, prevention measures and symptoms, which is especially important because school begins Tuesday, Sept. 1. Wisconsin had 41 confirmed or probable cases, including 37 across Iowa and Lafayette counties, as of Aug. 18, according to Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) data.
“We will make sure, once kids are back, that staff are fully aware of what to watch for,” Scott said. “Symptoms show up many days after exposure.”
The district sent an email and text message to parents on Wednesday, Aug. 19, along with launching a public health information website page and social media post. Pecatonica also is encouraging families, staff and the public to monitor Iowa and Lafayette counties’ public health social media channels for the most up to date information on case counts and action steps.
“We want to ensure we have the healthiest start to the school year as possible,” Scott said after the meeting. “We encourage everyone to stay up to date and take action when appropriate.”
According to DHS, vaccination is one way individuals can protect against measles. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing the disease. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 21 days after exposure and include runny nose, high fever, tiredness, cough, red, watery eyes, or conjunctivitis (pink eye), and a red rash with raised bumps that starts at the hairline and moves to the arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin, according to DHS.
For more information on schoolrelated measles information, visit Pecatonica’s website page at: www.pecatonica.k12.wi.us/page/pub lic-health-information.
Free Athletic Passes for Adults 60 and Over
The school board formally approved moving forward with free athletic passes for individuals who are ages 60 years and older. The school district now will begin more direct promotion of the benefit as sports seasons ramp up.
Free passes for senior citizens have been available through the Six Rivers Conference, but the district wants to make clear it supports the measure, especially if the WIAA or conference changes anything about free passes in the future. Providing these passes and ensuring their continuation regardless of any changes at the conference or state level was a priority brought forward by the community-based Pec Connect Advisory Committee.
Blanchardville resident Roy Ruegsegger shared he believes the entire philosophy behind who gets discounted or free passes should be reviewed, given high costs for families of student athletes. He is not opposed to the benefit for people ages 60-plus, he added.
“I think it’s time to maybe … think of another group who probably needs the help more,” he said during public comment. “I think the whole thing should be reviewed … There’s a lot of stress on these younger parents trying to make gains.”
Board member Megan Leonard asked if the district could consider exploring tiered passes to better align with everyone’s needs and personal situations.
“I think it’s worth looking into,” said board President Megan Reading, who agreed with Leonard.
The board voted 6-0 to approve the senior citizen passes. Member Steve Acheson was absent.
Building Projects
The district is moving forward with a project to address insufficient attic insulation and other air sealing needs at Pecatonica Elementary School, based upon a recommendation from the board’s Operations Committee.
In April, the district assessed the attic insulation and air-sealing conditions at Pecatonica Elementary. The assessment identified several deficiencies that are contributing to reduced energy efficiency and uncontrolled heat loss. Scott is working with the district’s general contractor to schedule this $47,200 project. The district received two bids for the attic insulation project and chose the significantly more cost-effective option. The board voted 6-0 to approve. Remaining referendum dollars are being used to fund the project.
Scott also shared the district is working to identify the cause of moisture in the flooring of its kindergarten through second-grade classrooms. Any work to fix the issue will be funded by already approved 2023 referendum dollars.
Other Business
The board voted 6-0 to approve the district’s annual contract with Oregon Mental Health, which provides mental health counseling services to students in-district. Families use private insurance or private pay for appointments. The district had a waitlist last year due to increased needs and interest.
The board also voted 6-0 to approve hiring Amy Francis for an open middle/high school special education teacher position after accepting the resignation of Amy Smith.