5 Critical Updates Shaking Up The Fond Du Lac School District In 2025
The Fond du Lac School District (FDLSD) is navigating a period of significant transformation in 2025, marked by major shifts in leadership, a contentious financial vote, and a celebrated academic turnaround. For parents, staff, and community members, understanding these recent developments is crucial, as they will define the educational landscape for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.
The district’s narrative is currently one of sharp contrast: celebrating an impressive leap in state academic rankings while simultaneously grappling with the immediate financial consequences of a failed operational referendum. This deep dive provides the most current, essential updates on the FDLSD, detailing the key figures and decisions that are shaping the future of education in Fond du Lac as of the current date.
New Leadership and Key Administrative Entities (2025-2026)
The Fond du Lac School District is welcoming a new era of leadership, with a familiar face stepping into the district's top administrative role. This transition is a cornerstone of the district's ongoing strategy to maintain its recent momentum in academic achievement and operational efficiency.
- New Superintendent: Matt Steinbarth
- Effective Date: July 1, 2025
- Previous Role: Steinbarth is a dedicated leader with over 25 years of service within the FDLSD, having transitioned into the Superintendent role after a previous tenure.
- Strategic Plan Approval: On March 24, 2025, the Board of Education approved the comprehensive 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, which will guide Superintendent Steinbarth’s initial years.
- Board of Education: The FDLSD Board of Education remains the key governing body, responsible for approving major financial decisions, including the recent—and ultimately denied—referendum proposal.
- Administrative Updates: The district announced administrative updates for the 2025-26 school year, necessitated in part by the departure of Sabish Middle School Principal Alex Garcia.
The selection of Matt Steinbarth, announced in February 2025, signals a commitment to internal leadership development and continuity. His long history within the district is seen as an advantage in implementing the new strategic vision and addressing the immediate financial challenges that have emerged from the referendum outcome.
The Impact of the Failed April 2025 Operational Referendum
Perhaps the most critical and immediate issue facing the FDLSD is the fallout from the April 1, 2025, operational referendum. Voters did not support the proposal, a decision that has triggered substantial budget planning for the upcoming school year.
Referendum Details and Financial Shortfall
The operational referendum sought authorization for the Fond du Lac School District to exceed the state-mandated revenue limit by $10,000,000. The purpose of the funds was to maintain current operational levels, including staffing, programming, and curriculum updates. Despite the district reporting a balanced budget for the current year, finance officials alerted the School Board to a projected $7.5 million operational shortfall for the 2025–26 budget year.
The Board of Education had previously voted unanimously to place the measure on the ballot, emphasizing the need for the funding to sustain the positive academic trajectory. However, the denial of the referendum means the district must now implement planned budget reductions for the 2025-26 school year. These reductions will impact various areas of district operations, though specific details on program cuts and staffing changes are still being finalized.
Academic Turnaround and State Recognition
In a major success story that contrasts with the financial news, the Fond du Lac School District has made remarkable strides in its academic performance, a testament to the hard work of students, teachers, and staff.
Exceeding Expectations: State Report Card Results
The district’s commitment to a student-centered approach and continuous growth has resulted in a significant improvement in the latest State Report Card results. The FDLSD has earned the prestigious "Exceeds Expectations" rating, a major milestone that reflects the positive outcomes for students in the community.
Superintendent Matt Steinbarth highlighted the incredible progress, noting that the district has rocketed nearly 200 places in the statewide rankings. The FDLSD is now ranked 175 out of 420 Wisconsin school districts, a notable leap that speaks to maximized resources and strategic investments.
Key areas of investment driving this transformation include:
- Updated, high-quality curriculum.
- Targeted training and professional development for teachers and staff.
- A unified, student-centered commitment across all schools.
Riverside Elementary Earns State Recognition
Further solidifying the district’s academic success, Riverside Elementary School was named a 2023-24 Wisconsin School of Recognition by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on June 5, 2025. This recognition specifically celebrates the school's achievements in academic achievement and student growth, underscoring the success of the district’s focused academic strategies.
Future-Focused Initiatives and Community Engagement
Despite the budgetary pressures, the Fond du Lac School District continues to invest in staff-led innovation and future-focused planning, ensuring a dynamic educational environment for its students.
Acuity Fund Grants and Innovation
The FDLSD Board of Education has approved Acuity Fund grants for the 2025-26 school year. These grants are designed to empower staff-led projects that spark innovation and enhance the learning experience across various schools. This initiative demonstrates the district’s commitment to fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement from the ground up.
Enrollment and Community Planning
Community planning remains a priority, with the district actively managing enrollment for the 2025-26 school year. Kindergarten enrollment is a key focus, with Wisconsin law requiring children to be five years old on or before September 1, 2025, to begin school. This ongoing process is vital for accurately projecting student populations and allocating resources efficiently in the face of the new budgetary constraints.
The coming years will be defined by how the new Superintendent and the School Board manage the dual challenges of sustaining academic excellence and navigating a tighter operational budget. The focus on high-quality curriculum, professional development, and the newly approved 2025-2028 Strategic Plan will be essential for the FDLSD to continue its upward trajectory while making difficult financial decisions.
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