Welcome Back
to School!
We are excited for the start of the 2025-2026 school year in the Westby Area School District! This year will be packed with great opportunities for our students. As you enjoy the end of summer break, we hope you are eager to start an exciting year.
We recommit our pledge to our students, parents, and community that this will be a year of engaging and rigorous work in our classrooms. We compliment academic work with a wide variety of co-curricular activities, clubs, and special events.
During this school year, we will continue to build upon our proven foundation of good work, honored traditions, and excellence in education. Our Mission remains:
“The Westby Area School District is a Community Dedicated to High Levels of Academic and Social-Emotional Growth for All in our Ever-Changing World”
We are proud of our highly-qualified professional educators and support staff who are committed to providing exceptional opportunities for students. We extend a special invitation to our families and the communities of our school district to join us at school events whenever possible.
We are excited for another great school year!
Steve Michaels
District Administrator
Westby Area School District
Beginning of School Year Information
WESTBY AREA SCHOOL REGISTRATION
New students enrolling to Westby Area Schools may call (608) 634-0101 to set up an appointment to register for the school year. On-line Registration for existing students, through Skyward, is now open. Please visit www.westby-norse.org for more information.
WE ARE MOBILE
The Westby Area School District is Mobile! To receive school delay and closing information, announcements, event calendars, daily menus and much more go to the App store on your phone and search “Westby Area School District”. It’s free – just click and download. There is also a link to the App stores at the bottom of our school website.
EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENT CHILDREN
The Westby Area School District offers the following educational options for resident school aged children:
• Full-time Enrollment Opportunities which include: Core Course Academic Education, Reading Instruction, Vocational Education, Fine Arts Education, Physical and Health Education, Education for Employment Programs, Career Education, Environmental Education, Drug and Alcohol Education, Bilingual Education, and Programs that meet the needs of Students with Disabilities. • Early College Credit Program - The ECCP statute allows Wisconsin Public and Private High School students to take one or more courses at an institution of higher education for high school and/or college credit. Under this section, “institution of higher education: means an institution within the University of Wisconsin System, a tribally controlled college, or a private nonprofit institution or higher education located in the state. While technical colleges are not eligible institutions under the new program, pupils that have completed 10th grade will continue to have the option to take courses at technical colleges through a separate statute 38.12(14)). On April 16, 2018, the Governor signed AB 805, enacting significant changes to the ECCP statute. 2017 Act 307 excludes certain post-secondary courses from the rules and requirements under the ECCP, as created under Act 59. The Department of Public Instruction is in the process of updating their website to reflect recent changes. Please contact the Westby Area High School Office at 608-634-3101 for assistance.
Start College Now
Early College Credit Program
Rural Virtual Academy (RVA Charter School)
Part-Time Enrollment for Non-Public School Children
Elementary Summer School & Jump Start
Middle School Summer School & Jump Start
High School Recovery Credit Summer School
Home-Based Private Education: http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/home-based
PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW
• Whether a teacher has met state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subjects taught.
• Whether a teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional license or whether licensing criteria have been waived.
• A teacher’s degree major and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher and the discipline of the degree or certification
• Whether a child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications.
If you have questions, please contact the building principal.
WESTBY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT 2025-2026 STUDENT ACADEMIC STANDARDS
On July 14, 2025, the Board of Education moved that pursuant to Section 120.12(13)(b) of the State Statutes, to approve the list and description of the student academic standards in the areas of mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography, and history that shall be in effect for the 2025-2026 school year. To view the Academic Standards, please visit our website at www-westby-norse.org. The Academic Standards are under the District Info Tab - Annual Notices. Please contact the District Office at 608-634-0101 if you have any questions.
Westby Area School District Mission Statement “The Westby Area School District is a Community Dedicated to High Levels of Academic and Social-Emotional Growth for All in our Ever-Changing World”
2025-2026 PUBLIC RELEASE
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST PROGRAMS, SPECIAL MILK PROGRAM
This is the public release that we will send to: The Vernon County Times, The Vernon County View, WVRQ Radio, Vernon County Human Services in Viroqua, the Bethel Butikk Food Pantry-Westby, Bethesda Lutheran Church-Westby, Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, Coon Valley Lutheran Church, Dell United Methodist Church, Our Saviors Lutheran Church-Westby, St. Mary’s Catholic Church-Coon Valley, Lower Coon Valley Lutheran Church-Chaseburg, Middle Coon Valley Lutheran Church-Chaseburg, United Methodist Church-Westby, local Landramats, WCCU, and River Bank in August, 2024.
The Westby Area School District today announced its policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program or milk for split-session students served under the Special Milk Program. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below
the levels shown are eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk if a split-session student does not have access to the school lunch or
breakfast service.
FAMILY SIZE INCOME SCALE ~ For Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals or Milk
YEARLY INCOME LEVEL - Must be at or below figure listed:
Household Size Free Lunch (Yearly Income) Reduced Price (Yearly Income)
1 $20,345 $28,953
2 $27,495 $39,128
3 $34,645 $49,303
4 $41,795 $59,478
5 $48.945 $69,653
6 $56,095 $79.828
Application forms are available on our website at www.westby-norse.org and by calling the District Office at 608-634-0101. To apply for free or reduced price meals or free milk, households must fill out the application and return it to the school (unless notified at the start of the school year that children are eligible through direct certification). Additional copies are available at the office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by agency or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
To obtain free or reduced price meals or free milk for children in a household where one or more household members receive FoodShare, FDPIR, or Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash benefits, list the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, program name, list the names of all school children, sign the application, and return it to the school office.
For the school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced price meals or free milk of households not receiving FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 cash benefits, the household must provide the following information requested on the application: names of all household members, total number of household members, and the adult signing the application form must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number or mark the box to the right of “Check if no SSN”. Also, the income received by each household member must be provided by amount and source (wages, welfare, child support, etc.).
Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal and free milk policy the Westby Area Schools will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent/guardian wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to: Steve Michaels, District Administrator, 206 West Avenue South, Westby, Wisconsin 54667 ~ (608) 634-0101.
If a hearing is needed to appeal the decision, the policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the household eligible for reduced price meals or free meals or free milk if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above, and they may reapply at that time.
Children formally placed in foster care are also eligible for free meal benefits. Foster children may be certified as eligible without a household application. Households with foster children and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income available to the foster child, on the same application that includes their non-foster children.
The information provided by the household on the application is confidential. Public Law 103-448 limits the release of student free and reduced price school meal eligibility status to persons directly connected with the administration and enforcement of federal or state educational programs. Consent of the parent/guardian is needed for other purposes such as waiver of textbook fees.
Administration & Supervisors
District Administrator Steve Michaels • Phone: 608-634-0101 • steve.michaels@westby-norse.org
Business Manager Lisa Garvalia • Phone: 608-634-0122 • lisa.garvalia@westby-norse.org
Westby Elementary School Principal Bruce Peterson • Phone: 608-634-0500 • bruce.peterson@westby-norse.org
Coon Valley Elem. Teaching Principal Becky Molledahl • Phone: 608-452-3143 • rebecca.molledahl@westby-norse.org
Westby Area Middle School Principal Mike Weninger • Phone: 608-634-0200 • mike.weninger@westby-norse.org
Westby Area High School Principal Robert Bothe • Phone: 608-634-3101 • robert.bothe@westby-norse.org
Director of Special Education & Pupil Services Jason Windsor • Phone: 608-634-0551 • jason.windsor@westby-norse.org
Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds Joel Sutton • Phone: 608-634-0132 • joel.sutton@westby-norse.org
Food Service SupervisorAshley Reschke * Phone: 608-634-0170 * ashley.reschke@westby-norse.org
Technology Support Integration Specialist/Technology Supervisor Nathan King * Phone: 608-634-0104 * nathan.king@westby-norse.org
Transportation Dispatcher Ronda Kennedy • Phone: 608-634-0179 • ronda.kennedy@westby-norse.org
Westby Area Schools ~ Building Information
District Office ~ 203 West Avenue South ~ Westby, WI 54667 ~ 608-634-0101
Coon Valley Elementary School ~ 300 South Lein Street ~ Coon Valley, WI 54623 ~ 608-452-3143
Westby Elementary School ~ 122 Nelson Street ~ Westby, WI 54667 ~ 608-634-0500
Westby Area Middle School ~ 206 West Avenue South ~ Westby, WI 54667 ~ 608-634-0200
Westby Area High School ~ 206 West Avenue South ~ Westby, WI 54667 ~ 608-634-3101
SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP) allows a student with a disability, who meets certain Eligibility requirements, to receive a state-funded scholarship to attend a participating private school. The SNSP is governed by Wisconsin Statute 115.7915 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter 49.
SUPPLY LISTS
School supply lists for Elementary,Middle, and High School students are posted at area businesses and are available in the school offices and www.westby-norse.org.
CENSUS DATA
If you are a resident of the Westby Area School District, please call the District Office at 634-0101, to register your children, birth to age 21, for the Westby Area School District Census. We are required to collect this information for all persons under the age of 21 that reside in the Westby Area School District. If your child has been enrolled at the Westby Area School District, there is no need to re-register. If you have any specific concerns regarding your child’s speech, hearing, vision, walking, learning, or behavior, please contact Jason Windsor, Pupil Services Director.
DISTRICT BOARD POLICIES
Westby Area School District Board Policies can be found on the District website – www.westby-norse.org.
NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR WESTBY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS
Children of homeless individuals and unaccompanied homeless youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent/guardian) residing in the district shall have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including comparable services, as provided to other children and youth who reside in the district. As noted in Board Policy #5111.01 Homeless Students, homeless children and youth shall not be required to attend a separate school or program for homeless children and shall not be stigmatized by school personnel.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The term includes children and youth who:
• temporarily share the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; • live in motels, hotels, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; • live in emergency or transitional shelters;
• are abandoned in hospitals;
• are awaiting foster care placement;
• have a primary night-time residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and • Are runaway children or children who are abandoned.
Migratory children and unaccompanied youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) may be considered homeless if they meet the above definition. Homeless status is determined in cooperation with parents or in the case of unaccompanied youth the local educational agency liaison. For additional information, contact the Pupil Services Director at 608-634-0101.
Title 1
Title 1 is a federally funded program. The Westby Area School District operates a Title 1 program that provides academic support to students in kindergarten through grade 4. Students are identified for participation through the use of classroom assessments, standardized testing, and teacher observation.
Parents are notified of their child’s eligibility by the classroom teacher. Parents have an opportunity to accept or decline services. The Title 1 program supplements the instruction that is provided in the classroom through small group instruction in classroom, small groups, individual pull out instruction, and extended learning opportunities. Any questions related to the Title 1 program should be directed to Bruce Peterson, Title 1 Coordinator (608-634-0501).
Public Notification of Equal Educational Opportunities
It is the policy of the Westby Area School District, that no person, on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, color ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, handicap, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, may be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil services or recreational or other programs.
The District encourages informal resolution of complaints under this policy. A formal complaint resolution procedure is available, however, to address allegations of violations of the policy in the Westby Area School District, questions concerning this policy should be directed to: Steve Michaels. District Administrator
Westby Area School District
206 West Avenue South
Westby, WI 54667
Telephone: (608) 634-0101
STUDENT HARASSMENT & BULLYING
The students of the Westby Area School District have the right and can expect to attend school in an environment free of harassment. Harassment is defined as any deliberate, unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct. This can entail explicit derogatory statements or discriminating remarks that are offensive or objectionable to the individual or which cause the individual discomfort or which interfere with the individual’s academic performance. This may include, but is not limited to any blatant sexual overtures such as: leering, pinching, patting, displays or graphic or written material. This may also include, but is not limited to, subtle repeated verbal or physical action such as comments, innuendoes, gestures, or actions, which involve bullying and/or intimidating others. Students who feel that they are being harassed should report it to their building principal, school counselor or any staff member. All harassment cases are investigated by our Compliance Officers - Jason Windsor, Director of Special Education and Student Services and Lisa Garvalia, Business Manager.
School Hours
Coon Valley Elementary School ~ (AM) 4 year old Kndg. 7:30 am - 10:30 am Monday-Thursday
(PM) 4 year old Kndg. 11:45 am - 2:45 pm Monday-Thursday
Grade Kndg. - Grade 4 7:30 a.m. - 2:45 pm Monday - Friday
Westby Elementary School ~ (AM) 4 year old Kndg. 8:00 am - 10:30 am Monday - Friday
(PM) 4 year old Kndg. 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm Monday - Friday
(All Day) 4 year old Kndg. 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday - Thursday
Grade Kndg. - Grade 4 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday - Friday
Westby Area Middle School ~ Grades 5 - 8 8:00 am - 3:14 pm Monday - Friday
Westby Area High School ~ Grades 9 - 12 8:00 am - 3:14 pm Monday - Friday