Community, The Baraboo School district announced that Steve Considine will be the next Superintendent of the School District of Baraboo, effective July 1, 2025. The Baraboo School district says, “This announcement ensures stable leadership and continued excellence in our District’s educational mission.Mr. Considine brings 6 years of experience in education administration to this role. His extensive background in educational leadership and proven track record of fostering academic excellence makes him well-suited to guide our District.” Kevin Vodak, President of the Board of Education said, “His commitment to maintaining high educational standards while ensuring a smooth transition to the Superintendency aligns perfectly with our District’s goals.” Considine has been the Interim Superintendent since February 14, 2025 after Rainey Briggs announced his resignation. Considine was among two other finalists for the position. He has been the principal of Baraboo High School since July 2023. Want More Local News?We've got you. Scan it to get it. News Ethics and Standards | Privacy Policy Two planned first responder stations need to break ground before next year to avoid needing reapproval, but funding remains uncertain. The City of Baraboo has been planning two future Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District stations over the past three years. Facility renderings were approved last year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin Department of Safety and Public Services. Those approvals last for two years. The proposed main Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District station would be located along Highway 136 at Sauk Avenue. It would be about 39,000 square feet and feature five garages. Estimates from 2023 indicate that the facilities would cost between $22.4 million and $24.8 million, for which Baraboo’s Community Development Authority has applied for $24 million in USDA financing, which would carry a 40-year repayment plan. Laura Eysnogle, an architect with Five Bugles Design of Eau Claire, and company Director of Emergency Services Robbie Krzyzanowski presented the future facilities during a Common Council meeting on Tuesday night. A main Baraboo fire and EMS facility is planned for land between Highway 136 and Commerce Avenue along Sauk Avenue. Re-approval of the designs could be impacted by a potential new International Building Code, which, according to Eysnogle, is being explored at the state level for later this year. Five Bugles Design would possibly need to re-evaluate and change some of the plans if a new code is adopted, she said. “Ninety percent of the time, these aren’t major changes,” Eysnogle said during her presentation, but added that planned storm shelters, which were not required by state law at the time of design, were excluded from the initial plans. A new building code could require those to be worked into the facilities, she said. She did not provide a cost estimate for additional storm shelters but said they would require “expensive square footage.” The city acquired land spaces on its far west and east sides for the future main and satellite facilities, respectively, in late 2022. Distance between the stations would minimize coverage overlap and provide two- to four-minute response times in key areas. A satellite Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District station on Baraboo's east side would be roughly 12,000 square feet and have three garages. A roughly 39,000-square foot primary building will be at a vacant lot on the southwest corner of the intersection of Highway 136 and Sauk Avenue. The roughly 12,500-square foot satellite will be on the east side of the intersection of Taft Avenue and 12th Street. Locations for the future stations were determined based on call volume for fire and EMS services, according to Eysnogle. Both services have more need on the northeast and southwest sides of the city, with fire service called downtown at a higher rate as well, she noted in her presentation. “We’d like 90 percent of your calls to be within that four-minute (response time),” Eysnogle said. A satellite facility for the Baraboo Area Fire and EMS District is planned for the intersection of 12th Street and Taft Avenue. Timing for if and when the city would receive the federal funds is still undetermined, Community Development Authority Director Pat Cannon said during a Common Council meeting Tuesday night. Alds. Jason Kent and Scott Sloan each expressed concern for how the facilities would be funded during the meeting. “We need a fire station that meets the requirements of NFPA — National Fire Protection Association,” Kent said. “Anything above that is something we can’t afford.” Sloan suggested the city look into municipal bonds, which would carry a 20-year payback plan at a slightly higher interest rate than the USDA loan. The city also could petition for private investment, or “mezzanine financing,” said District 9 Ald. Brett Topham, who participated in his first council meeting since being elected April 1. Topham emphasized public-private partnerships for city services during his campaign. The current Baraboo Area Fire and EMS Station is located at 135 4th St. in downtown Baraboo. Department staff provide good coverage, Eysnogle said in her presentation, but the facility is undersized for its current call volume and any coverage area expansion from needing to cover additional townships would increase response times. A new facility in the same location would be ideal with response times, she added, but doing so would require demolition of nearby buildings and is not feasible. New first responder stations have been considered in Baraboo since 2007, Eysnogle said, with initial plans for a separate fire and EMS station. The two services merged in 2022. The current city hall, which houses the police department, was finished in 2018. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Lois Stowers "doesn't like the limelight on her, but she deserves it more than anyone I can think of," Mayor Ed Wojnicz said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. Macy Weigel began her high school career at Community Christian School of Baraboo.  During her freshman year, Macy’s youngest sibling was diagnosed with a deadly and rare blood condition.  Macy’s mom, Emily Weigel, left her full-time teaching position to care for the child. That left Macy’s dad, Nathan Weigel, the sole provider for the family of six.  After Macy’s sophomore year at Community Christian School, the Weigels decided they could not afford the $7,800 annual tuition.  While Macy was sad to leave her high school, she was excited that Baraboo High School had a variety of athletic teams.  But the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s transfer rules are preventing Macy from getting to play softball for one year, due to the organization’s transfer rules. Now the family is suing the WIAA and the Baraboo School District.  According to the WIAA, “A student who transfers from any school into a member school will be subject to the transfer rules for one calendar year, unless the transfer is made necessary by a total and complete change in residence by parent(s).” Transfer rules are in place to prevent schools from “stacking” the best players. But Macy’s mom, Emily, says her daughter is not gaming the system. “She simply wants to participate in high school sports and is making the best of her family’s involuntary decision to switch schools,” Emily said in a statement. “The WIAA has gone too far, and we are fighting back on her behalf and the many other students who have been subject to the arbitrary decision-making of this organization.” In a statement, WIAA spokesperson Todd Clark said the organization is aware of the lawsuit.  “Because this is a pending legal matter, the WIAA does not have further comment at this time,” Clark said.  Baraboo School officials said they supported Macy wanting to play softball but could not comment on pending litigation. Every public high school in the state belongs to WIAA, accounting for about 80 percent of WIAA members.  WIAA has discretion over which students can participate on sports teams.  According to a complaint filed in Sauk County Circuit Court, Baraboo High School wanted to allow Macy to play on the varsity high school team and sought a waiver to the WIAA rules.  That waiver was denied by a WIAA staff member who concluded: “It appears this student’s situation has come about largely as a result of choices, decisions and/or actions made by Macy and her family,” according to the complaint. Baraboo High School in October appealed that decision to WIAA’s Board of Control, WIAA’s governing body. The board denied the appeal 8-3.  “Our clients live and pay taxes in the school district, and their child has been denied access to programs sponsored and funded by the district because the bureaucrats at the WIAA arbitrarily decided she was not worthy of a ‘waiver’ of their ‘transfer rules,’” said Skylar Croy, an attorney with the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, which is representing the family. “We must rein in this illogical decision making to allow children the full opportunity to flourish and develop.” Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. Source: Channel3000_Communities (CC BY 2.0) Two referenda in Baraboo were defeated during Tuesday night’s election. Residents in the Baraboo School District said no to a capital facilities referendum. The $85.7 million measure failed by a margin of 6,541 to 4,979 votes. The plan had an estimated tax impact of $55 per $100,000 of property value. The project would have repaired and replaced aging mechanical systems, electrical equipment and other major building systems. It also would have made room for the district’s new, full-day 4-year-old kindergarten programming; added classroom and commons space at Al Behrman, East and Gordon L. Wilson elementary schools plus renovate existing spaces; and enhance safety and security by improving traffic flow. Voters also rejected a city referendum on Tuesday’s ballot. This measure was seeking a $2 million increase in the tax levy to maintain its current level of service. This referendum failed by a margin of 4,628 to 1,958 votes. Baraboo Mayor Rob Nelson issued a statement Wednesday morning acknowledging the referendum’s failure to pass. BARABOO, Wis. -- The Baraboo School District is asking voters to approve a $69.9 million referendum plan to update aging elementary schools in the district But saying yes doesn't mean a hike in property taxes "We have significant capital improvement needs because our buildings some of them are getting very close to 70 years old." Mike Pisani the district director of elementary teaching & learning said Willson Elementary Schools would see a facelift That could partly include boiler replacements "We definitely have needs for large group and small group instructional spaces and then we have needs for safety enhancements we want to give our kids every opportunity to be as safe in school as possible," Pisani said Baraboo residents voted down a $85.7 million referendum plan in November It would have cost $55 per $100,000 of property value and target similar goals for the elementary schools "The last one was a little bit more expensive; it didn't pass So that to us [meant] we needed to look at the price," Pisani said the price tag for voters wouldn't grow if they vote yes The district describes April's referendum as tax neutral If the referendum doesn't pass on April 1 It is not guaranteed to go down because "all the capital improvements identified need to be addressed," Pisani stated The district also said with the aging buildings and growing community "What we did is we did a phased approach there will be another phase coming at some point in the future But we identified the needs that we felt were most critical," Pisani said He graduated from Baraboo High School with the class of 1958 and on June 3rd 1961 he was united in marriage to Judy Schubring at St Their marriage was blessed with two children he worked at General Motors in Janesville for 11 years before going to work for Briggs Transportation in Baraboo Power & Light for 16 years and then Fish Lumber in Sauk City for 5 years before retiring in 1999 After retirement he stayed busy detailing cars driving limo for Classic Limo Service and mowing fairways at the Baraboo Country Club John’s Lutheran church and ushered there for many years He was a member of the Baraboo Lion’s club and enjoyed being their tail twister He was also past president of the Circus City Rod & Gun club and past president of the Baraboo Bowmen’s club He loved the outdoors and always looked forward to deer and turkey hunting He had many fond memories of his fall fishing trips up at the Chippewa Flowage with his son-in-law and others He was very proud of his family and loved getting Snapchats and pictures from them and hearing what was going on in their lives His five granddaughters: Lindsey (Matt) Muchow of Reedsburg Myckenzie (Brian) Kloos and Brooke Sefkar (Luke Bruss) all of Minnesota He is also survived by seven great grandchildren and another one due in June His sisters: JoAnn DePonte (Bob Ivey) of Davis He is also survived by his brothers and sisters- in- law: Arthur (Kathy) Schubring John (Judy) Schubring and Jean (John) Darrow He was preceded by his parents and in-laws his brother Lorin and sister Rosie Butler and two brothers in-law and two sisters in-law He was also prededed by several nephews and a niece Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM on Tuesday March 11 Funeral service will be Wednesday morning March 12th at 11:00 AM at St Visitation will also be from 10:00 AM until time of the service Burial will follow in Walnut Hill Cemetery His family would like to give a big thank you to Dr Randy Krszjzaniek for his many years of care for Jerry and also to Agrace Hospice and to his nurse the family kindly request donations be made to Agrace Foundation at giving@agrace.org and/or Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church Reedsburg BARABOO, Wis. -- As of Friday, the armed robbery suspect from Thursday afternoon has not been found Tobacco and Firearms is collaborating with BPD with assistance and will share a photo of the suspect when they receive the footage Officers arrived to the Cash Store at the 900 block of U.S Highway 136 for an armed robbery report at approximately at 12:33 p.m The suspect is described as 5'6" tall with a slim build The suspect ran away from the scene with "an undisclosed amount of money," according to BPD He then was seen entering a dark-colored SUV with black rims The vehicle was seen driving westbound on County Road W towards U.S do not approach and call BPD at 608.355.2720 -- An armed robbery occurred at a loan agency store in Baraboo Thursday afternoon Police interviewed staff and determined a Black male subject had entered the business allegedly demanding money with a handgun Baraboo police searched the area but were not able to locate the SUV investigators are waiting to receive video surveillance footage to review the incident A ride service that helps people in Baraboo get to where they need to go almost had to park it for good A mix of budget shortfalls and a decrease in ridership put the City's shared-ride taxi service in jeopardy people there rely on the cabs so they go do things like go to the doctor For some individuals with limited options for transportation Fox 47 News at Nine previously showed you how a donation from SSM Health St Clare Foundation is keeping the service going A Baraboo woman is telling us about how it's affecting her and we are also hearing from the mayor about how city leaders are hoping to find a more long-term fix I'm halfway through Demon Unrest," Grant said It's not uncommon to find her at The Village Booksmith in Downtown Baraboo I read probably two or three books a week," Grant said doctors diagnosed her with wet age-related macular degeneration I'm a visual person," Grant said Every month she gets injections in both eyes My husband used to take me and when he'd pick me up he'd have French fries," Grant said Her cab rides don't come with a side of fries but they're vital for getting her to her appointments This is also true for thousands of others in the community "We were very concerned," Julia Randles the shared ride taxi service was on the chopping block Clare Foundation's $50,000 donation that will help keep the program going for another year Randles says the foundation knows transportation can be a big barrier to health care "We see individuals going through radiation Those are daily appointments for six weeks or more if they don't have family in the area and if their family is working and unavailable but they need a way to get to and from appointments," Randles said the taxis had about 65,000 riders per year that dropped a lot and is now at about 35,000 riders per year Early data shows ridership is growing again this year "We're just very grateful," Nelson said Nelson is also hopeful this year's state budget will fill some of the funding gaps in the future "Especially when you're seeing members of the legislature who have worked in municipal government who know what some of those needs are and how difficult it is to make ends meet here," Nelson said Mary Grant is grateful she has a ride to her eye appointments and that this isn't the end of the program's story "It's one thing to call on friends or family occasionally but when you do something on a regular basis And that's the last thing I want to be is a burden.," Grant said "This allows me to maintain a certain measure of independence and I appreciate that." The donation directed to the City of Baraboo helps the City fill in its funding gaps for this program The ride service also operates under a mix of federal Baraboo School District voters ousted the School Board president Tuesday and elected retired and current educators to fill two spots on the School Board Karen Nelson and Ken Ziegler will serve three-year terms on the Baraboo School Board Nelson and Ziegler earned 3,925 and 3,526 votes as the top two finishers in the four-candidate race the board president and lone incumbent in the race lost his bid to serve a ninth term on the board Current board member Katie Kalish did not seek re-election Voters line up outside the Baraboo Civic Center on Tuesday afternoon to cast ballots for numerous elections in Baraboo and statewide a retired Baraboo teacher and media specialist said that her 40 years of experience in Baraboo School District will benefit her time as a board member retention and development during her tenure adding in March that open teaching positions have considerably fewer applicants than when she was hired in 1984 an elementary school teacher in the Sauk Prairie School District has said in an interview and at the March 11 forum that he wants to increase communication and transparency from the board He has praised the work of Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright and said that he hopes to see some of that district’s policies and approach to leadership in Baraboo Staff treatment by the board and administration needs improvement He said that turnover in Baraboo is much higher than in Sauk Prairie and he wants to change policy to give staff just cause rights after being fired as well as more freedom to show materials reflective of lesson plans Nelson and Ziegler will be the third and fourth new Baraboo School Board members in one year as Joey Rivas and Carolyn Bonanno won three-year terms last year to replace Alex Schenck and Mike Kohlman Vodak was the subject of a recall petition last year that did not gather enough signatures to force a special election The ousted board veteran has been subjected to criticism throughout the community for alleged favoritism toward administrators and the board and administration’s handling of former Jack Young Middle School Principal Abby Alt’s firing Alt has open lawsuits against the district; all seven board members; former Superintendent Rainey Briggs the district’s executive director of finance and operations the district refused in November to reinstate her following an independent hearing officer’s September recommendation to do so Wauwatosa East High School Principal Stephen Plank and Sun Prairie School District administrative consultant Karen Kepler are the three finalists to replace Briggs Two Sauk Prairie School District board incumbents won re-election on Tuesday Tyler Erickson defeated challenger Nik Franciskovich Richard Talmage retained his seat against Tony Bauernhuber winning with 4,026 votes to Bauernhuber’s 2,291 River Valley School District had one contested board race where Emily Beck defeated challenger Jess Hisel All other Sauk County school board elections were uncontested Email notifications are only sent once a day Baraboo School Board President Kevin Vodak former Baraboo teacher Karen Nelson and retired physician Eleano… The utilities said investments in generation and distribution infrastructure and grid maintenance are contributing to rising electricity costs The three finalists talked about their leadership priorities and perspectives last week with Baraboo School District staff and residents Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMADISON (WMTV) - The Baraboo Police Department said they found two persons of interest Monday Police said they wanted to speak to the two people related to an incident at Pierce’s Fresh Express on 8th St. the police department said in a Facebook post police said they successfully identified the subjects and thanked those who submitted information Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app. Baraboo School District Superintendent Rainey Briggs announced Friday that he was stepping down from his post later this month. Briggs shared no specific reasons for leaving in an email to staff.  “This decision comes after careful consideration of my well being and professional growth,” he wrote. In the email, Briggs said that the district’s Board of Education will take up his resignation during its Feb. 10 meeting. The resignation is expected to take effect Feb. 21. School district spokesperson Ellen Weiland told the Baraboo News Republic that an interim superintendent will be announced at a later date. Briggs was named superintendent in July 2021. Previously, he was director of elementary education in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District for five years. Stay tuned to Max FM for continuing coverage. -- The School District of Baraboo's Board of Education announced its newest superintendent Monday night Steve Considine will continue to serve in the Baraboo School District He has been serving as the interim superintendent since Feb following the resignation of former superintendent Dr Briggs served as the district's superintendent from July 2021 through February 2025 Considine brings six years of experience in education administration during which he oversaw the operations and initiatives of the Baraboo School District Michelle Reinen and Michael Domke of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection join us again to talk about recent scams they’re uncovering. Then, we talk about the Circus World Historic Site in Baraboo with Georgia Stephenson and Jennifer Cronk Popular scams this spring include those involving PayPal Leaders of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection join us to break down what they’re seeing from fraudsters If you have a question or want to report a scam reach out to DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov​ or (800) 422-7128 Baraboo’s Circus World Historic Site opens for the season on April 21. We talk with two of the site’s leaders about what’s new this year at Circus World, plus learn a little about the history of the Ringling Bros. in Wisconsin. Failed Baraboo City Referendum Means 2025 City Budget Cuts, But Some Services Will Stay The Baraboo Common Council approved Tuesday night the city’s budget for next year, including measures that will offer a reprieve to the shared-ride taxi service and city pool. Both were facing potential cutbacks given the 2025 city budget. In recent weeks, the Common Council faced a budget shortfall to contend with. Earlier this month, the majority of Baraboo residents voted “no” to an operational referendum to maintain the city’s current level of facility operation and services. Without the referendum money, however, city officials proposed cuts to several positions and services like the shared-ride taxi and the pool.  Many Baraboo community members attended the meeting Tuesday to voice their support to maintain the taxi service.  Baraboo resident Jeanna Kosharek said without the taxi service, she has no way to leave her home.  “I can’t go to the grocery stores or the pharmacies or anything else without the taxi. That’s the only way I get around,” Kosharek said. “I’m homebound, if there’s no taxi.” With the future of the ride-share service at stake, the SSM Health St. Clare Foundation announced it would offer the city a $50,000 grant to cover about half of the taxi’s 2025 needed funds. St. Clare Foundation director Julia Randles said the organization wants to help create healthier communities.  “We want to be part of the solution in helping to find ways to be creative— to help solve problems, and we want to see the taxi service continue,” Randles said.  “This was kind of a make-or-break moment for our taxi service, so to be able to provide some immediate help while we then work to collaborate and create the long term solution for what this looks like.”  Randles said the grant is funded through earned investment income, not from donor dollars.  The city council moved to accept the grant, in addition to funds from the Public Transit Assistance Program offered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. City officials said they plan to apply for the Federal Transit Administration formula grants for rural areas as well to help raise the funds.  Together, these funds will allow the shared-ride taxi service to remain operational for 2025.  Additionally, the city pool will reopen for the 2025 season if the community can raise the remaining money needed. The approved budget reallocated city funds from the parks amenities budget to help maintain the pool and complete necessary repairs for the upcoming year, in addition to community fundraising.  Community members who attended the meeting to voice support for the pool said Baraboo residents have already raised $4,000 to support the opening this summer. River Floral Gift is located in part of the former Ploetz Furniture building on 3rd Avenue in downtown Baraboo Owner Jennifer Fox purchased the building and renovated it to accommodate four businesses owner of River Floral Gift in downtown Baraboo It is one of two new businesses in the former Ploetz Furniture building including small plants and custom-made arrangements comprise much of the inventory at River Floral Gift Customers can order floral arrangements in person at the store or by phone benches and other works by carpenter Brad Statz who did much of the work renovating the former Ploetz Furniture building to accommodate four businesses is adjacent to the new flower and gift shop A new flower and gift shop has opened in downtown Baraboo just in time for Valentine’s Day “I think this is a perfect time to start,” said Jennifer Fox and we are looking forward to adding to that.” Fox purchased the building that had housed Ploetz Furniture and had renovations made to accommodate four businesses another Baraboo flower business located on Highway 136 Fox had an opening celebration with a Valentine’s Day-themed party on Feb The new flower and gift shop sells custom-made floral arrangements as well as wood crafts by carpenter Brad Statz who did the woodwork in the building as part of Fox’s renovation project Apparel featuring the store’s name and logo is also for sale We order flowers locally and have flowers grown locally in season Fox also orders flowers from various wholesale providers around the United States Customers can order customized floral arrangements and other flower-themed gifts by phone or in the store River Floral Gift’s name is inspired by “At the River Clarion,” a poem by poet Mary Oliver A passage from the poem is painted on a wall in back of the store Fox installed a dividing wall in the middle of the former furniture store on both levels to accommodate four stores The neighboring storefront on the lower level is now Johnny’s Girl Boutique a women’s clothing store that opened last year and is owned by Wisconsin Dells native Sophia Galley Fox is seeking new businesses for the two vacant upper-level spaces Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly The project developer envisions "a place for family gatherings to enjoy outdoor activities at Devils Lake State Park .. "I can't even tell you how many people walk through here and tell me that this is the best burger they have ever eaten," co-owner Greg Slayton said The villas at Mirror Lake will include four "treehouse" cabins with spiral staircases wrapped around white pine trees Baraboo School District director of business services in her attempt to obtain a restraining order against retired district teacher Teresa Lien for alleged harassment dating back to January 2024 Retired Baraboo School District teacher Teresa Lien during a hearing Tuesday on a restraining order sought by Yvette Updike the district's director of business services A Baraboo School District official’s request for a restraining order against a retired teacher and vocal critic of district operations was denied by a judge on Tuesday Sauk County Circuit Judge Michael Screnock ruled against continuing a temporary restraining order against retired special education teacher Teresa Lien that Yvette Updike the school district’s executive director of finance and operations Screnock made his ruling after a two-day hearing that included testimony by five witnesses including Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Drew Bulin who investigated an incident involving Lien Updike and two School Board members at a West Baraboo restaurant in November Updike sought the restraining order after Lien used her phone to photograph Updike board member Tim Heilman and district Superintendent Rainey Briggs at Mike’s Italian Restaurant in West Baraboo on Nov Updike also alleged harassing behavior and defamatory accusations by Lien dating back to January 2024 Lien had also been at Mike’s and at Fat Squirrel The former Baraboo teacher testified on Tuesday that her actions resulted from what she believes is a conflict of interest regarding Baraboo School Board members and district administrators 12 incident in which she saw Updike and board members Vodak and Heilman “I knew that I had been truthful and careful,” Lien said regarding her testimony who represented Updike at the district’s expense requested that Lien be prevented from having contact with Updike outside of attendance at School Board meetings or other district events She also requested that Lien be ordered to stop harassing Updike through social media posts particularly ones with allegations of inappropriate relationships between her and School Board members Lewis added that Lien intentionally went to Mike’s Italian Restaurant to target Updike and the board members but Lien said she was out to eat without the intention of seeing any of them Updike testified on Monday that Lien has been harassing her since January 2024 beginning shortly after the School Board voted in December 2023 to terminate former Jack Young Middle School Principal Abby Alt Updike said she has been more reluctant to go out in public over the past year and has blocked a window in her Baraboo home particularly after Lien had made numerous social media posts about her and other board members prior to the incidents “She has now instigated others to post similar comments and statements about me,” Updike said Teresa Lien to leave me alone and stop harassing me and posting completely false statements about me.” In in his arguments for the restraining order to be denied Erlandson said Lien’s actions in recording the board members and administrators socializing after the decision to uphold Alt’s termination were of interest to the public Lien criticized the school district for paying attorney fees for Updike’s efforts to obtain a restraining order saying that money should be used for district operations is meant to hold the School Board and district leaders accountable the district board unanimously voted to uphold Alt’s termination The vote rejected a September 2024 decision by independent hearing officer and labor attorney Katherine Scott Lisiecki who recommended the district reinstate Alt after ruling that an investigation into Alt’s conduct lacked evidence to support “vague” allegations of unprofessionalism and dishonesty the seven-member School Board issued a joint statement backing the decision to terminate Alt and uphold the decision saying that “each one of us carefully looked at the evidence for the termination of the JYMS principal,” adding that they also carefully examined Lisiecki’s recommendation “This unanimous decision reflects the Board’s shared commitment to upholding the highest standards of accountability and leadership in our schools,” the statement said Screnock agreed with Lien’s sentiments regarding relations between board members and administrators saying that he finds a professional administrator socializing with members of a governing body ruling in his or her favor immediately after such a ruling to be inappropriate “I struggled to sleep last night thinking that somebody when a member of the local watchdog group that has been a thorn in the side of the school district for over a year sees them and takes a picture,” Screnock said adding that he did not view Lien’s actions of taking pictures of them that night as harassment While Screnock dismissed the restraining order against Lien insidious and salacious” claims made in private messages between Lien and a district staff member Screnock said that if any such allegations had been made in social media posts that were available for the public to see he probably would have granted Updike’s restraining order He compared the claims to those of teenagers and said that they were “garbage that had no basis in fact.” and still cross the line and engage in harassing behavior,” Screnock said “Attempts to undermine district leadership including efforts to target and personally attack specific administrators are counterproductive and divert attention from the real progress being made,” the School Board said in its statement Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter The School District of Baraboo unanimously rejected an impartial hearing officer's decision to reverse the termination of former Jack Young Mi… The Baraboo School District is appealing a decision to reverse the firing of former Jack Young Middle School Principal Abby Alt "This case is really about fairness," Abby Alt's attorney said adding the School Board "willfully and unfairly substituted their bias for an … Baraboo has promoted its last two police chiefs from within its department but is bringing in a veteran from Wisconsin’s largest city to be its next top cop who retired from the Milwaukee Police Department in 2024 after more than two decades in different capacities and districts accepted an offer to succeed former Baraboo Police Chief Rob Sinden on Monday Young negotiated terms of employment with Carloni during a closed session of a Baraboo Common Council meeting on Tuesday night Carloni’s conditional offer (of employment) and acceptance,” Baraboo Police Commission member Paul Kujak said “We feel that his vast amount of experience that he has from his 24-year career for the city of Milwaukee Police Department and all of the various positions that he filled while being with the department are going to bring an opportunity to help our department continue to grow.” who lives in Oak Creek but plans to move to the Baraboo area with his wife upon taking the position interim Police Chief Ryan La Broscian and Sgt All three of Carloni’s children are currently with the Milwaukee Police Department The city needs to complete a background check on Carloni “My wife and I are excited about the position This gives me an opportunity to expand my career Carloni anticipates “a good transition” from a large to small city saying that many policing tactics he learned from working in Milwaukee will remain the same in smaller Baraboo He said he wants to bring some new technology to the department as well as focus on officer retention and development along with community trust and transparency “My goal is to really be an asset to the community,” he said The Police Commission recommended Carloni after input from other area law enforcement officials along with community stakeholders and residents La Broscian and Wichner during a meet-and-greet session Feb Wichner for their interest in the position and preparing themselves and going through the process of applying for chief of police,” Kujak said “Both are very dedicated officers to our department and we look forward to their service and dedication as we move forward.” “While I was looking forward to the possibility of serving our community as the next chief of police our Police Commission members have served this community and our department with fidelity and professionalism and I trust that their choices were made with the best intentions for our department and our community,” La Broscian said “While it is always disappointing to not get a position you applied for I have every faith in the decision making of our Police Commission and our city administration I look forward to working with and learning from our highly experienced new chief and I think he will fit in nicely here,” Wichner said Carloni said that working criminal investigations in Milwaukee is “one of my strongest points that I think I bring.” He also helped the State Crime Laboratories with DNA analysis and worked on internal affairs investigations involving wrongdoing by other officers Carloni and other Milwaukee officers held community meetings and other engagement events with residents of the city’s south side in a densely populated area “It was a city within a city,” he said regarding the south side district Carloni said he hopes to bring such community engagement to Baraboo including increasing the amount of community activities involving officers He also wants to improve department technology to better pinpoint higher crime areas in the city as well as those with increased call volumes Kujak said he believes Carloni will be able to work with Baraboo officers and command staff to help the department grow saying the commission is not bringing in the outside candidate to “take over a department that needs a lot of makeover.” “What I saw of the (Baraboo) Police Department seems pretty solid and tight with the community and I just want to try to build off of what they have and continue forward,” Carloni said a former Milwaukee police lieutenant who retired last year has been selected as Baraboo's next police chief Carloni has said he wants to improve department technology to better pinpoint higher crime areas in the city Baraboo police interim Chief Ryan La Broscian Justin Carloni shared different approaches o… Baraboo resident Dzevat Ademi fills out his ballot during the spring election Tuesday City voters cast ballots for two contested Common Council seats two School Board seats and a capital referendum to address elementary school needs along with the statewide Wisconsin Supreme Court and state superintendent elections Voters in Baraboo remained steadfast against extra funding for their elementary schools on Tuesday but a higher percentage supported it this time around Baraboo School District area voters rejected a $69.9 million capital referendum to address maintenance needs and perform classroom and other facility upgrades at East Willson Elementary Schools in the spring general election The question failed by 4,410 to 3,743 votes This was the district’s second attempt to increase capital funding for its elementary schools. On Nov. 5, an $85.7 million referendum for the same purpose failed in a 6,541 to 4,979 vote The referendum was “tax-neutral,” according to district officials meaning it would not have added to current district property taxes Referendums from 2016 and 2019 to address similar projects at Baraboo High and Jack Young Middle Schools are currently being paid off with payments slated to be completed by the 2035-36 school year taxpayers would have continued making the same level of payments until 2045-46 “Our job is to work with the community to address the needs of our current facilities with a plan that they can support,” district spokesperson Hailey Wagner said “We plan to continue gathering input from the community to address facility challenges We will work to find solutions that best support students and community while being mindful of financial constraints.” Tuesday’s result is the second failed attempt at elementary school funding on a ballot but the third time in which the district did not garner support for it the district declined to put a referendum on the ballot after survey results indicated a lack of support The district will have to wait until at least next spring to propose another elementary school referendum as state law allows a governing body to propose a maximum of two funding measures in a calendar year District officials have said that the cost of necessary projects at the elementary schools will only increase without the extra funding The River Valley and Weston School Districts each proposed three-year operating referendums on Tuesday River Valley voters narrowly approved a staggered $14.1 million operating measure in a 2,207 to 2,154 vote The referendum will add $4.15 million to district revenues for the 2025-26 school year Owners of a $200,000 district home are slated to pay roughly $1,470 in district property taxes for the 2024-25 school year Weston voters rejected a $4.5 million measure that would have added $1.5 million each school year through 2027-28 in a 479 to 424 vote Baraboo area voters rejected a city referendum for an additional $2 million in annual operating funds and an $85.7 million school district cap…