School District of Baraboo

For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Contact: Michael Romero, Communications Specialist
mromero@barabooschools.net
(608) 355-3950 Ext. 1520

School District of Baraboo Board Approves Resolution for April 7 Facilities Referendum

On April 7, 2026, School District of Baraboo voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on a facilities referendum focused on improving learning environments across the District. If approved, the $74.0 million referendum would support a districtwide school facility improvement project, including additions, renovations, and capital maintenance improvements at Al Behrman, East, Gordon L. Willson, and North Freedom Elementary Schools, as well as agriculture programming improvements at the high school. The proposed plan aligns with the District’s Long Range Facilities Plan and focuses on addressing the most urgent facility needs across the District. As part of its community outreach efforts, the District will share information about the estimated tax impact of the referendum. “This proposal reflects what we heard from our community and what our schools need most,” said School Board President Tim Heilman. “It focuses on aging elementary facilities, safety, and learning spaces that better support students today while planning responsibly for the future.”
If approved, the referendum would fund the following key priorities:

• Aging Building Systems: Upgrades to outdated heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems in elementary buildings that are more than 60 years old, improving reliability, comfort, and learning environments.
  

• Site Circulation and Safety: Improvements to school traffic flow to reduce congestion, improve emergency access, and create safer, more predictable drop-off and pick-up locations.
  

• Adequate Learning Spaces: Renovations and additions to support small-group instruction, student services, flexible classroom use, and separate gym and cafeteria spaces at Al Behrman and East Elementary Schools.
  

• Agriculture Education: Construction of an addition and renovations at the high school to modernize agriculture classrooms and greenhouse facilities, including at least $1 million invested in hands-on, industry-relevant learning experiences.
  

If the referendum is approved, Al Behrman, East, Gordon L. Willson, and North Freedom Elementary Schools would serve students in 4K through 5th grade, with elementary attendance boundaries remaining unchanged.

The School District of Baraboo will host a series of community information nights, and community members are encouraged to attend. The District will also offer Coffee with Superintendent Considine on select dates, creating informal opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the referendum. Dates, times, and locations for all events will be announced soon. More information will be available on the School District of Baraboo’s referendum information website.

Community members who have questions or would like more information are encouraged to reach out to Superintendent Considine at sconsidine@barabooschools.net or 608-355-3950 Ext. 1010.

The 2026-2027 School Calendar has been approved by the School District of Baraboo Board of Education. Please see the included link for the calendar.

Dear Baraboo Families,

The School District of Baraboo is so much more than a number or a rating. Every day, our students, staff, and families demonstrate work ethic, resilience, and pride that can’t be captured by a single score. Still, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) report cards offer valuable insight into how we are growing as a district — and this year’s results clearly show that we are moving in the right direction.

This year, the School District of Baraboo earned an overall score of 67.1, placing us in the “Meets Expectations” category under the state’s new 2024–25 accountability standards. Our district score has now increased for three consecutive years — the first time in our history — and every single school saw growth in its overall rating from last year.

This steady, district-wide improvement reflects the incredible work of our teachers and staff, the perseverance of our students, and the strong partnership of our families. Together, we are creating a culture of high expectations, meaningful growth, and belonging for all learners.
Below are highlights from each of our schools:

Al Behrman Elementary (ABE)
Al Behrman Elementary earned an overall score of 85.1, placing it in the “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” category — the highest rating on the DPI scale. ABE’s student growth was among the top 6% of elementary schools in the state, performing as well as or better than 94% of K–5 schools statewide. This historic accomplishment reflects the powerful combination of dedicated staff, hardworking students, and family support that defines ABE.

Gordon L. Willson Elementary (GLW)
Gordon L. Willson Elementary earned an overall score of 75.1, placing it in the “Exceeds Expectations” category. GLW demonstrated strong student growth (74.6) and achievement above state averages in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. The GLW team continues to model consistency, engagement, and a high standard for student success.

East Elementary
East Elementary earned an overall score of 63.9, maintaining its “Meets Expectations” rating and continuing an upward trend from the past two years. Both English Language Arts and Math Growth increased from last year, and the school’s attendance rate (94.2%) remains above the state average and a point of pride. East’s dedicated staff and students continue to move learning in a positive direction.

North Freedom Elementary (NF)
North Freedom Elementary earned an overall score of 63.5, also within the “Meets Expectations” range. The school showed improvement in both Math Achievement and Growth while maintaining an excellent attendance rate of 94.8%. The North Freedom community’s close collaboration and commitment to student success are clearly evident in this year’s results.

Jack Young Middle School (JYMS)
Jack Young Middle School earned an overall score of 59.3, reflecting a 2.6-point increase from last year. The middle school improved in both English Language Arts and Math Achievement, signaling positive academic momentum and a strong focus on foundational learning. The staff’s continued work around curriculum alignment and student engagement is helping drive growth in the right direction.

Baraboo High School (BHS)
Baraboo High School earned an overall score of 69.0, maintaining its “Meets Expectations” rating. This marks the largest one-year increase in school history since the creation of DPI report cards, with a 12.5-point gain since 2022–23. The high school also saw a 7.6-point increase in ELA growth and achievement above the state average — a reflection of strong instructional focus, student effort, and meaningful support systems.

Looking Ahead
While these results are worth celebrating, they are also a reminder of what’s possible when a community works together toward shared goals. Our goal remains to be the premier district in the state of Wisconsin — a place where every student is known, challenged, and supported. The growth reflected in these report cards shows that we are well on our way.
Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for your continued support of public education in Baraboo. Together, we are building something extraordinary for our students and our community.

https://apps6.dpi.wi.gov/reportcards?SelectedSchoolYear=2025&SelectedDistrict=009326&SelectedPublicSchool=