La Crosse School Board President Jimenez on population study, district start times and $53.5 million referendum

La Crosse School Board President Dr. Juan Jimenez, was in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk PM on Wednesday and discussed some stunning numbers from a population study. The district is seeking to start school earlier due to its burden on private schools and the $53.5 million referendum.

La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

The show began with a brief overview, but quickly delved into numbers presented to the school board Monday from a population study showing a decline in school enrollment.

We then discussed why the school district wanted to start school earlier. According to state law, classes begin on or after September 1st, but only for public schools. However, these districts are required to bus private school students, who often start school early, because they do not have to follow the same laws.

Finally, we discussed the referendum and some of the consequences that could occur if it doesn’t pass, as well as what comes next regardless of what happens – which could be middle schools.