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Hillsboro schools announces reduced-price meal policy
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Contributed/Carolyn Kannenberg
Updated: Oct 17, 2013, 12:49 PM
Published: Oct 17, 2013, 12:53 PM

The Hillsboro School District  Oct. 9 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.

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.

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a notice to parents or guardians. 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 household member and the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, 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 and the adult signing the application form must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number or write “none” if they do not have a Social Security Number. 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,  Business Manager Mindy Lankey  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: Curt Bisarek, Superintendent, Hillsboro, WI 54634, 608-489-2221.

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 house-hold 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 need for other purposes such as waiver of text book fees.
Seneca and North Crawford announce top scholars
2025 graduating classes
2025 graduation
Crawford County Independent & Kickapoo Scout
Updated: May 29, 2025, 1:45 PM
Published: May 29, 2025, 1:44 PM
Seneca 2025 Val and Sal

Seneca High School’s Class of 2025 Valedictorian is Gabriel Hamann and the Salutatorian is Brett Starkey.

Both Hamann and Starkey have worked incredibly hard to be at the top of Seneca’s Class of 2025. The class will be graduating at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 30.

Valedictorian Gabriel Hamann is the son of Gary and Kelly Hamann.

Throughout high school, Hamann spent much of his time in clubs and sports. He participated in Cross Country and Track & Field, as well as playing in the school band.

Hamann was also a member of student council, forensics, Future Farmers of America, and the SHARE youth leadership program.

In the fall, Hamann will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Salutatorian Brett Starkey is the son of Matt and Angela Starkey.

While in high school, Starkey played on the basketball team and was on the yearbook committee.

Starkey will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in the fall to study engineering.

North Crawford 2025 Val and Sal

As North Crawford’s Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, Valedictorian Carter Wilson and Salutatorian Jordan Derrick finish off the year strong.

The North Crawford Class of 2025 graduation ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 31.

Valedictorian Carter Wilson is the son of Erika and Shane Wilson.

Aside from being top of his class, Wilson has participated in many extra-curricular activities and is headed for a bright future.

In his freshman year, Wilson was a part of track & field. He also participated in the mathletes for the first year, which he continued to do throughout high school, even placing on the first team in his sophomore year.

Later, Wilson was elected the Vice President of the National Honor Society in his junior year and took over as President in his senior year.

Wilson also took many college courses in high school through Southwest Technical College.

In the fall, Wilson will be attending Western Technical College. He plans do his first two years at WTC, and then transfer to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for two years to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Salutatorian Jordan Derrick is the daughter of Rachael Rogalsky.

Finishing second in her class, Derrick has also done her best to fill out her resumé.

In Derrick’s freshman year, in which she attended Westby High School, she participated in the Green Club, as well as founding the student newspaper, ‘The Hammer Times.’

In her sophomore year, she continued to participate in both activities, even taking on the role as Editor-in-Chief of ‘The Hammer Times’ and copy editor on the yearbook committee in her junior year.

Derrick transferred to North Crawford High School in the second semester of her junior year. Here, she joined the North Crawford Playhouse tech crew and became the yearbook editor.

In the summer before Derrick’s senior year, she began volunteering at the Kickapoo Exchange Natural Foods Co-op and was hired as an intern reporter at the Crawford County Independent and Kickapoo Scout.

In her time at the Independent-Scout, Derrick won multiple awards in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, including a first place award in enterprise reporting for her coverage of the North Crawford Food Service Department.

Derrick will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall to study Business Management, while continuing her career in journalism.