A Unified Appeal to Members of the Legislature and the Governor
The public school districts serving Adams, Marquette, and Waushara Counties come together with a single purpose: To advocate for students while honoring our responsibility to taxpayers. This message is not partisan. It is practical. As local education leaders, we are entrusted with delivering strong academic outcomes while managing public resources wisely.
Across Wisconsin, families are navigating higher costs for groceries, utilities, fuel, and health care. School districts are facing those same financial realities. The price of transporting students, heating and powering our buildings, providing meals, and maintaining employee benefits has climbed significantly. Inflation has not spared public education.
When the state reported a $4 billion surplus, we believed it signaled an opportunity to acknowledge these shared economic pressures. Yet K–12 public schools received no increase in general state aid in the most recent biennium. At a time of rising costs, flat funding functions as a reduction.
Our districts have long exercised fiscal discipline. However, when state support fails to keep pace with inflation, the financial burden does not disappear — it shifts locally. Through the state funding formula and recurring referendums, communities are left to bridge the gap. For our families, farmers, retirees, and small businesses, this growing reliance on property taxes is neither sustainable nor equitable.
Wisconsin needs a bipartisan agreement that restores stability to school funding. The current impasse limits responsible long-term planning and forces districts into short-term, referendum-driven solutions. Historically, our state provided annual per-pupil adjustments tied to inflation, offering predictability and shared responsibility. Those cost-of-living adjustments were eliminated during the 2009 recession and have never been reinstated, despite years of economic recovery.
We believe there is a constructive path forward — one consistent with a true “Wisconsin Way” of compromise and cooperation.
1. Restore Inflationary Adjustments to State Aid
Reinstating a statutory link between per-pupil funding and the Consumer Price Index — a framework first advanced under Governor Tommy Thompson — would ensure funding keeps pace with real-world costs. This is not an expansion of spending; it is preservation of purchasing power and planning stability.
2. Utilize Current Surpluses for Immediate Relief
The state’s growing surplus, built from taxpayer contributions, presents an opportunity to provide meaningful property tax relief while delivering an immediate increase in state aid. Doing so would ease operational strain on districts and reduce pressure on local taxpayers.
3. Reestablish Predictability Through Bipartisan Commitment
Our communities need stability. Moving away from referendum-to-referendum budgeting allows districts to focus on improving student achievement, strengthening workforce readiness, and expanding opportunities rather than navigating financial uncertainty.
Wisconsin’s long-term economic strength depends on the quality of its public schools. Previous generations benefited from robust educational programming — art, music, physical education, libraries, and school nursing services were standard offerings. Without funding that reflects actual costs, districts will be forced to scale back opportunities at the very moment students need them most.
We are not requesting unchecked spending. We are calling for a return to a proven, bipartisan funding structure that once positioned Wisconsin as a national leader in both educational quality and fiscal stewardship.
We respectfully urge you to move beyond the current stalemate and work together toward a practical, responsible solution that supports students while protecting taxpayers.
Sincerely,
The School Districts of Adams, Marquette, and Waushara Counties
Adams-Friendship, Almond-Bancroft, Montello, Tri-County, Wautoma, Westfield, and Wild Rose
CC:
Governor Evers, Rep. Peterson, Sen. Cabral-Guevara, Rep. Dahlman, Sen. Jagler, Sen. Testin, Rep. Krug
The public school districts serving Adams, Marquette, and Waushara Counties come together with a single purpose: To advocate for students while honoring our responsibility to taxpayers. This message is not partisan. It is practical. As local education leaders, we are entrusted with delivering strong academic outcomes while managing public resources wisely.
Across Wisconsin, families are navigating higher costs for groceries, utilities, fuel, and health care. School districts are facing those same financial realities. The price of transporting students, heating and powering our buildings, providing meals, and maintaining employee benefits has climbed significantly. Inflation has not spared public education.
When the state reported a $4 billion surplus, we believed it signaled an opportunity to acknowledge these shared economic pressures. Yet K–12 public schools received no increase in general state aid in the most recent biennium. At a time of rising costs, flat funding functions as a reduction.
Our districts have long exercised fiscal discipline. However, when state support fails to keep pace with inflation, the financial burden does not disappear — it shifts locally. Through the state funding formula and recurring referendums, communities are left to bridge the gap. For our families, farmers, retirees, and small businesses, this growing reliance on property taxes is neither sustainable nor equitable.
Wisconsin needs a bipartisan agreement that restores stability to school funding. The current impasse limits responsible long-term planning and forces districts into short-term, referendum-driven solutions. Historically, our state provided annual per-pupil adjustments tied to inflation, offering predictability and shared responsibility. Those cost-of-living adjustments were eliminated during the 2009 recession and have never been reinstated, despite years of economic recovery.
We believe there is a constructive path forward — one consistent with a true “Wisconsin Way” of compromise and cooperation.
1. Restore Inflationary Adjustments to State Aid
Reinstating a statutory link between per-pupil funding and the Consumer Price Index — a framework first advanced under Governor Tommy Thompson — would ensure funding keeps pace with real-world costs. This is not an expansion of spending; it is preservation of purchasing power and planning stability.
2. Utilize Current Surpluses for Immediate Relief
The state’s growing surplus, built from taxpayer contributions, presents an opportunity to provide meaningful property tax relief while delivering an immediate increase in state aid. Doing so would ease operational strain on districts and reduce pressure on local taxpayers.
3. Reestablish Predictability Through Bipartisan Commitment
Our communities need stability. Moving away from referendum-to-referendum budgeting allows districts to focus on improving student achievement, strengthening workforce readiness, and expanding opportunities rather than navigating financial uncertainty.
Wisconsin’s long-term economic strength depends on the quality of its public schools. Previous generations benefited from robust educational programming — art, music, physical education, libraries, and school nursing services were standard offerings. Without funding that reflects actual costs, districts will be forced to scale back opportunities at the very moment students need them most.
We are not requesting unchecked spending. We are calling for a return to a proven, bipartisan funding structure that once positioned Wisconsin as a national leader in both educational quality and fiscal stewardship.
We respectfully urge you to move beyond the current stalemate and work together toward a practical, responsible solution that supports students while protecting taxpayers.
Sincerely,
The School Districts of Adams, Marquette, and Waushara Counties
Adams-Friendship, Almond-Bancroft, Montello, Tri-County, Wautoma, Westfield, and Wild Rose
CC:
Governor Evers, Rep. Peterson, Sen. Cabral-Guevara, Rep. Dahlman, Sen. Jagler, Sen. Testin, Rep. Krug
This past week the Food Services Team joined in the fun of Read Across America with the Tri-County Elementary students! Our elementary serving line was decorated with a collection of Dr. Seuss books and characters, along with the favorite books of the kitchen staff. Monday's lunch was meatballs and sauce over rotini pasta themed after the book "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". Tuesday we enjoyed Green Eggs & Ham, hash browns, toast, & a special Grinch Applesauce (lime applesauce) treat. Shhh.. don't tell the kids but the eggs were colored green using spinach. Wednesday was themed around the book "Dragon's Love Tacos" featuring tacos and rice. Thursday was "Go Dog Go" and featured hotdogs, chips and dip, Cat in the Hat Jello cups, and our daily garden bar featuring a selection of fruits and vegetables. Friday was "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" students enjoyed fish sticks, mac & cheese, scratch made tartar sauce and coleslaw. It was such a fun week in our Elementary School, celebrating Read Across America Week, we enjoyed being able to be apart of the fun this past week! 🐧 📖
Artist of the Week - Faith Joseph is a junior in art. Faith is new to our school this year and is a shining star in art! She took Fired Up in the fall and is now in 2D Art, Section 1. Faith has many pieces that have been saved for our May art show and consistently makes quality work. Her optical illusion drawing stands out and is fantastic. Her craftsmanship and use of shading make her work pop and trick the eye, as an optical illusion should.
In January Belle Leucking, Nadia Schoenstene, and Annabelle Sweeney wrote, illustrated, and submitted their own short stories for the Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter of the 2026 Nettesheim Literary Competition. Belle Luecking and Nadia Schoenstene tied for first place with a high school student from Waupaca High School. Belle and Nadia’s short stories have moved on to compete at the state competition that will take place in May. Congratulations ladies on your hard work! Good luck Belle and Nadia at state! Ms. Gildenzoph and Ms. Woyak are very proud of you ladies!
Please Note: This literary competition is available for Grades 3rd through 12th. This competition opens up in September and ends at the end of January annually. Future interested students should seek out their English/Language Arts teachers for more information in September.
Middle School Wrestling wrapped up their season. They did a great job - TC Proud!
Another awesome art collaboration. 2nd grade Aria drew her idea of the best stuffed animal ever and Senior Brianna made her idea come to life!
Congratulations TC Boys Basketball Team on their Round 1 WIAA Regional Win!
Great job to the Middle School Girls Basketball teams! Their effort and hard work this season was wonderful!
5K Artists came to the MS/HS Art room today and got to make their handprints onto a special poem that they will get to bring home on a later date. High Schoolers helped assist the 5K students and a good time was had by all!
Youth Wrestling Had a Great Day! Congratulations to all youth wrestlers. Lily Acantilado and Elijah Baillod got first Jon Nigbor, Kamden Acantilado, Zoey Baillod got second place. Axl Schmidt and Leo Lauer got 3rd place.
The TC baseball team is having a fundraiser for a new pitching matchine.
The link to the athlete /player store is:
https://tricountybaseballathletestore2026.itemorder.com/
The link to the fan store is:
https://tricountyfanstore.itemorder.com/
Artist of the Week - Montserrat Paredes is an 8th grade student in art. Montserrat did a fantastic job glazing her clay bowl. Her use of design and color make her work stand out! Her pottery will be saved for our annual art show in May.
Tri-County Softball and TC Apparel Sale - Orders are due by Wednesday, March 18th!
https://tri-county-softball-team-apparel-2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/
https://tri-county-softball-team-apparel-2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/
All TC Softball Players Grades 3-8
Free Fundamentals Softball Clinic Sign-Up Extended until Tuesday!
We have had several players sign up for next Saturday’s clinic. After receiving many additional inquiries during Parent-Teacher Conferences, we have decided to extend the reservation deadline until Tuesday.
Please be sure to turn in your sign-up sheets to your teachers, Mrs. Baughman or Mrs. Helmrick, by Tuesday.
Free Fundamentals Softball Clinic Sign-Up Extended until Tuesday!
We have had several players sign up for next Saturday’s clinic. After receiving many additional inquiries during Parent-Teacher Conferences, we have decided to extend the reservation deadline until Tuesday.
Please be sure to turn in your sign-up sheets to your teachers, Mrs. Baughman or Mrs. Helmrick, by Tuesday.
Another awesome stuffed animal. project. This one was dreamed up by second grader Freya in Mrs. Femal's class. Then created by Jakob, a junior in Mrs. Montgomery's 3D class. Both artist did Fantastic work!!!
Today students and staff at Tri-County participated in the WI Chili Lunch, we celebrated by serving scratch made chili and cornbread muffins. The Wisconsin (WI) Chili Lunch is an annual event designed to promote healthy eating and support local agriculture in institutions like early care and education settings, schools, hospitals, and community-based organizations. This event highlights the importance of nutritious meals in educational settings and supports Wisconsin’s agricultural community by boosting demand for local products. The WI Chili Lunch is part of a broader initiative to improve school nutrition and food education. By participating, schools can enhance their meal programs, offer students delicious and nutritious meals, and contribute to the local economy.
Exciting new art project here at TC... Mrs. Femal, in the Elementary art room, had the second graders draw the best, most amazing stuffed animal they could think of. Then Mrs. Montgomery, in the High School art room, had her 3D students pick their favorite stuffed animal drawing to create it for that second grade student. Grace dreamed up this beautiful design and Avril did an amazing job of bringing the drawing to life! Both students did fantastic work!
On February 11th, Jaxten Selke took 6th place out of 30 competitors at the Regional Spelling Bee! What an incredible accomplishment!
After studying over 4,000 words (yes… FOUR THOUSAND!), Jaxten represented our school with determination, focus, and serious brainpower. That is a whole dictionary’s worth of dedication packed into one amazing student.
We are so proud of the hard work, perseverance, and confidence shown on that stage. Way to go, Jaxten!
After studying over 4,000 words (yes… FOUR THOUSAND!), Jaxten represented our school with determination, focus, and serious brainpower. That is a whole dictionary’s worth of dedication packed into one amazing student.
We are so proud of the hard work, perseverance, and confidence shown on that stage. Way to go, Jaxten!
Free Fundamentals Softball Clinic for Grades 3-8 - Saturday, March 7th - Elementary Gym
Permission slips have been sent home with students. Please have permission slips returned before Thursday, February 26th.
Any questions, please contact Coach Helmrick
Tri-County Schools will be closed today 2/20/26, due to inclement weather