Awards Recognize Efforts of Rural Schools, Communities, and Libraries
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster presented her first Standing Up for Rural Schools, Communities, and Libraries awards on March 9 during the annual Small Schools Conference in Wisconsin Rapids.
The awards recognize the efforts of Wisconsin rural communities that have advocated for their schools, libraries, and way of life at a time when many are threatened by difficult financial challenges. "We have strong schools because of the capable teachers and administrators, engaged business and community leaders, and active parents working together to keep schools strong," Burmaster said.
Butternut housing development project:
State Superintendent Burmaster;
Bruce Larose, Superintendent, Butternut School District
An award was presented to:
Butternut School District
Housing Development Project
Butternut, Wisconsin
The Butternut School District, like many Wisconsin schools face challenging financial conditions. Four years ago, relative to the district's quest for sustainability, the district took a progressive approach by instituting the Greater Butternut Area Partnership Committee (GBAPC). This group, comprised of local leaders representing the Village of Butternut, Towns of Lake, Chippewa, and Agenda, Besse Forest products, Director of the Governor's Northern Office, and Board of Education, dedicated their efforts to promote local economic development and sustainability for Butternut and the Butternut School District.
With the commitment to a "whatever it takes" theme, the committee established a vision and initiated an aggressive plan to ensure sustainability for the community and school. The first priority has been to sponsor an affordable housing project to allow people to live and work in Butternut. The Board of Education has deeded 5.5 acres to the Village of Butternut to begin the housing project. In addition, Mr. Besse, owner of Besse Forest Products, committed $650,000 to develop this project and to build 20 homes adjacent to the school and the school/community community park to encourage and stimulate the economic climate and promote sustainability for both the school and community. Mr. Besse is committed to Butternut, his home town, and said, "there will always be a school in Butternut".
For questions about this information, contact dpifin@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-9114
Last updated on 8/30/2005 1:12:59 PM
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