Rhinelander board approves December payments, sets 2026–27 calendar and denies special‑education open enrollment
January 19, 2026 | Rhinelander School District, School Districts, Wisconsin
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The School District of Rhinelander Board of Education on Jan. 19 approved December payments of $1,137,482.64 and contracted services amounting to $727,115.21 and took a series of routine personnel and program actions.
The motion to approve the December payments was made by Mike Roberts and seconded by Kurt Helke; the board recorded an aye vote from all nine members. Earlier, the board approved the minutes of its Dec. 15, 2025 meeting (motion by Ronald Lueneburg, second by Judy Conlin); Mike Roberts and Patricia Townsend abstained.
The board approved proposed 2026 elementary, middle and high school summer school sessions and approved the 2026–27 school year calendar as proposed, setting graduation for Friday, May 28, 2027. Both motions passed by voice vote.
On open enrollment, the board — acting under the criteria in the district’s Open Enrollment Program #5113 — voted to deny any 2026–27 open enrollment applications for students requiring special‑education programming or services in identified categories because there are zero spaces available. The categories listed by the board include early childhood special education; elementary, middle and high school cross‑categorical special education; services for the deaf and hard of hearing and the visually impaired; occupational therapy; physical therapy; and speech and language pathology.
The meeting also approved routine personnel items in open session, including hires of Karlee Denis and Tiffany Papapetru, the resignation of Paula Norman effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year, and the retirement of Michael Laggis effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year. Those motions passed by voice vote.
The board adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
The motion to approve the December payments was made by Mike Roberts and seconded by Kurt Helke; the board recorded an aye vote from all nine members. Earlier, the board approved the minutes of its Dec. 15, 2025 meeting (motion by Ronald Lueneburg, second by Judy Conlin); Mike Roberts and Patricia Townsend abstained.
The board approved proposed 2026 elementary, middle and high school summer school sessions and approved the 2026–27 school year calendar as proposed, setting graduation for Friday, May 28, 2027. Both motions passed by voice vote.
On open enrollment, the board — acting under the criteria in the district’s Open Enrollment Program #5113 — voted to deny any 2026–27 open enrollment applications for students requiring special‑education programming or services in identified categories because there are zero spaces available. The categories listed by the board include early childhood special education; elementary, middle and high school cross‑categorical special education; services for the deaf and hard of hearing and the visually impaired; occupational therapy; physical therapy; and speech and language pathology.
The meeting also approved routine personnel items in open session, including hires of Karlee Denis and Tiffany Papapetru, the resignation of Paula Norman effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year, and the retirement of Michael Laggis effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year. Those motions passed by voice vote.
The board adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
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