News Summary
The Hudson School District Board has voted to close Houlton and Willow River Elementary Schools due to budget challenges. The decision, made in an October meeting, aims to save the district approximately $3.3 million amid declining enrollment and insufficient state funding. Parents and community members have expressed strong opposition, fearing the impact on local education, especially for students with special needs. The board emphasized the need for financial stability while promising to communicate any changes to staff and school boundaries effectively.
Hudson, Wisconsin – The Hudson School District Board has decided to close Houlton and Willow River Elementary Schools due to severe budget challenges. In a meeting held on Monday night, October 13, 2025, board members voted 6-1 to implement the closures, which will take effect at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
The decision has sparked considerable outcry from parents and community members, many of whom voiced their concerns during the public comment period prior to the board’s vote. Despite this opposition, the board determined that closing both schools would help save approximately $3.3 million in district spending. This financial relief is seen as necessary amid ongoing issues with declining student enrollment and insufficient state funding, which has not kept pace with inflation over the past decade.
During the meeting, Board member Megan Rozowski emphasized that without proper funding, the district cannot provide a quality education for its students. The closures are part of a broader strategy to stabilize the district’s finances, which have been negatively impacted by revenue caps since 2010.
The planned closures could have further implications for the community, including potential staff reassignments or layoffs. The district has indicated that staff changes will be communicated by March and April of 2026. New boundaries for elementary schools and transportation routes will also be determined and set before the upcoming school year concludes.
Many parents expressed that closing these schools would greatly affect their communities. Numerous individuals spoke during the board meeting, urging the board to reconsider their decision and recognize the importance of these schools to local families. Parents raised concerns specifically about the impact on students with special needs and voiced intentions to explore alternative educational options, including private schools, if the closures proceed.
Emotions ran high as board members debated the closure for nearly 90 minutes. While one member, Erin Gerlach, motioned to delay the decision in hopes of finding alternatives, her proposal did not garner support from the rest of the board. Members acknowledged the practical need for the closure while recognizing the substantial emotional toll it would take on families and the community as a whole.
Although the closures aim to address immediate financial issues, the district is also preparing for potential future challenges. New elementary school boundaries are expected to be announced by February 2026, and alterations to transportation arrangements will be developed over the summer. The district has committed to keeping open lines of communication with families as the transition unfolds.
The school district is facing a significant crossroads as it attempts to balance financial realities with the concerns of parents and community members who see Houlton and Willow River Elementary Schools as vital educational sites. The board’s decision highlights the ongoing struggles many districts face in maintaining operations amid tight budgets and fluctuating enrollment figures.
As this situation continues to develop, the Hudson School District will work to finalize plans for the school closures while attempting to mitigate their effects on the community and its students.
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Additional Resources
- KSTP: Hudson School Board Votes to Close 2 Elementary Schools
- CBS News: Hudson Wisconsin Elementary School Closures
- Hudson Star Observer: School Board Plans Closure Decision
- Fox 9: Hudson School Board Votes to Close Schools
- KSTP: Parents Speak Out Against School Closures
- Wikipedia: Hudson, Wisconsin
- Google Search: Hudson School District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wisconsin
- Google News: Hudson School Closures
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