La Crosse School Board President Trevor Sprague in the WIZM studio for The Rick Solem Show discussing the district’s new brand and how they’re competing for students.

We get into the thinking behind the new ‘Grow here, go anywhere’ identity — and why Sprague sees the $100,000 rebranding effort as an investment in keeping students in the district.

We also discuss schools providing childcare, a lack of state funding, and Sprague details the latest meeting among La Crosse County area school board presidents on how one of their goals is to put the cost of school vouchers on property tax bills.

Lastly, Sprague shares two success stories: building a winning Harley-Davidson racing bike and Polytechnic being named an Apple Distinguished School for its innovative work, including with Apple Vision Pro.

Episode Highlights:

• The new brand: What the district is trying to accomplish with a new name, logo, colors and “Grow here, go anywhere” motto.
• The enrollment battle: La Crosse has gained more transfer students than it has lost — but the numbers tell a more complicated story.
• The child care equation: Could the public schools play a bigger role in helping families with young children?
• AI vs. story time: We joke about having AI read to your kids while you're doing the dishes — and get into why early literacy still starts at home.
• A Harley winner: Central students built and customized a motorcycle for a flat-track racing competition — and won.
• Apple Vision Pro: How Polytechnic is using the tech in a project that earned the school international recognition.
• Voucher transparency: La Crosse area school boards want taxpayers to see the cost of voucher programs on their property tax bills.