Earlier this week, the School District of Onalaska Board of Education approved the addition of an all day, every day 4K preschool model for the 2026-27 school year.

The board's decision follows several months of research, review and discussion. Last September, an internal task force began exploring the potential and implementation of the plan. Findings were then presented to the school board.  Research shows that a high-quality full day 4K programs lead to stronger academic performance and social emotional growth for students in their future.

Onalaska Superintendent Ben Barton joined Sean Dwyer on La Crosse Talk Thursday to talk about needs and accomplishments in the district. 

Earlier this week, the School District of Onalaska Board of Education approved the addition of an all day, every day 4K preschool model for the 2026-27 school year.
The board's decision follows several months of research, review and discussion. Last September, an internal task force began exploring the potential and implementation of the plan. Findings were then presented to the school board.&nbsp; Research shows that a high-quality full day 4K programs lead to stronger academic performance and social emotional growth for students in their future.
Onalaska Superintendent Ben Barton joined Sean Dwyer on La Crosse Talk Thursday to talk about needs and accomplishments in the district.&nbsp;

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM - La Crosse

Onalaska Superintendent discusses 4K preschool, district successes

Earlier this week, the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce came out with an endorsement of a City Administrator for La Crosse.  

Chamber CEO Sam Scinta spoke on La Crosse Talk Thursday morning with Sean Dwyer about the position and what it means to the business community.  

They held a forum on Monday for chamber members featuring two current City Administrators, one from Onalaska and one from Viroqua.  

Both were asked about the challenges and success they’ve encountered in their respective positions. 

In the conversation Thursday, Scinta was asked about some of the topics that came up at the forum including what La Crosse was proposing for a salary for a City Administrator.  

Scinta talked about how the salary of approximately $248,000 a year with benefits seemed high, he said the position pays for itself pretty quickly through efficiencies in government.  

What you’re achieving immediately is some of those operational savings with this position. And a lot of studies that have looked at this have shown, and we talked about this a lot on Monday, that yes, this is a pricey position, but it is also achieving a lot of savings for these communities.” 

Another advantage that Scinta pointed out is that an administrator can ensure continuity as council members or mayors come and go.  

He did point out that both administrators noted that every community needs to decide what works best for their community as every location is different.  

Lastly, he brought up that there are many communities in Wisconsin with City Administrators that can offer La Crosse information on what to do or the type of person to hire.  

“Let’s tap that knowledge base and ask other communities, ‘What criteria were you looking for? What criteria did you go in thinking was important that maybe wasn’t as important? What criteria do you wish you maybe made more important in this process?’” 

La Crosse’s City Council is expected to vote on whether to establish a City Administrator position during February’s meeting.   

Earlier this week, the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce came out with an endorsement of a City Administrator for La Crosse.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Chamber CEO Sam Scinta&nbsp;spoke on La Crosse Talk Thursday morning with Sean Dwyer about&nbsp;the position and what it means to the business community.&nbsp;&nbsp;
They held a forum on Monday for chamber members featuring two current City Administrators, one from Onalaska and one from Viroqua.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Both were asked about the challenges and success&nbsp;they&rsquo;ve&nbsp;encountered&nbsp;in their&nbsp;respective&nbsp;positions.&nbsp;
In the conversation Thursday, Scinta was asked about some of the topics that came up at the forum including what La Crosse was proposing for a salary for&nbsp;a City Administrator.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Scinta&nbsp;talked about how the salary of approximately $248,000 a year with benefits&nbsp;seemed&nbsp;high,&nbsp;he said the position pays for itself&nbsp;pretty quickly&nbsp;through efficiencies in government.&nbsp;&nbsp;
What&nbsp;you&rsquo;re&nbsp;achieving&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;is some of those operational savings with this position.&nbsp;And&nbsp;a lot of studies that have looked at this have shown, and we talked about this a lot on Monday, that&nbsp;yes, this is a pricey position,&nbsp;but it is also achieving a lot of savings for these communities.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Another advantage that Scinta pointed out&nbsp;is that&nbsp;an administrator can&nbsp;ensure continuity as&nbsp;council members or mayors come and go.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He did point out that both administrators noted that every community needs to decide what works best for their community&nbsp;as every location is different.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Lastly, he brought up that there are&nbsp;many&nbsp;communities in Wisconsin&nbsp;with&nbsp;City Administrators&nbsp;that can offer La Crosse information on what to do or the type of person to hire.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s&nbsp;tap that knowledge base and ask other communities,&nbsp;&lsquo;What criteria were you looking&nbsp;for? What criteria did you go&nbsp;in&nbsp;thinking was important that&nbsp;maybe wasn&rsquo;t&nbsp;as important? What criteria do you wish&nbsp;you&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;made more important in this process?&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp;
La Crosse&rsquo;s City Council is expected to vote on whether to&nbsp;establish&nbsp;a City Administrator position during February&rsquo;s meeting. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Chamber CEO talks about La Crosse City Administrator position

New dietary guidelines are out for Americans. The guidelines were released in earlier this month. The guidelines emphasize shifting towards whole foods, increasing protein and limiting highly processed foods. Some of the information in the new guidelines contradicts past recommendations. One change involves milk. To help clarify and guide us through the changes, La Crosse Talk's Sean Dwyer talked to Laura Birkel who is a registered dietitian for Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse. 

New dietary guidelines are out for Americans. The guidelines were released in earlier this month. The guidelines emphasize shifting towards whole foods, increasing protein and limiting highly processed foods. Some of the information in the new guidelines contradicts past recommendations. One change involves milk. To help clarify and guide us through the changes, La Crosse Talk's Sean Dwyer talked to Laura Birkel who is a registered dietitian for Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse.&nbsp;

Local dietitian discusses new food pyramid

The La Crosse County Health Department is urging homeowners to test their homes for radon this month. 
January is Radon Action Month. 
Radon is a gas that occurs from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It can't be seen, smelled, or tasted. 
It kills approximately 21,000 people a year from lung cancer, making it the second leading cause of death from that disease in the US. 
Mekaela Malloy with the Health Department said the geology of our area lends itself to more cases of radon exposure.
"In Wisconsin as a whole, we see typically about one in ten homes have a high radon level. In the Coulee Region goes from one to three homes because we have that porous soil that allows the gas to come up a little quicker."

While the geology plays a role, geography also is a factor. 

"So, if you test your home for radon and you don't have any, you don't have high levels, that doesn't mean that, say, your neighbor might not have high levels. It really just depends on your specific home and where it's sitting," Malloy said. 

The county has short-term radon testing kits available, the first step in the process. Because it's Radon Action Month, the Health Department is offering them for $9.00 each. 

The kits are available at the Health Department as well as at every La Crosse County Library branch. 

Additional Information:

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm

https://www.epa.gov/radon

 

The La Crosse County Health Department is urging homeowners to test their homes for radon this month.&nbsp; January is Radon Action Month.&nbsp; Radon is a gas that occurs from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It can't be seen, smelled, or tasted.&nbsp; It kills approximately 21,000 people a year from lung cancer, making it the second leading cause of death from that disease in the US.&nbsp; Mekaela Malloy with the Health Department said the geology of our area lends itself to more cases of radon exposure. "In Wisconsin as a whole, we see typically about one in ten homes have a high radon level. In the Coulee Region goes from one to three homes because we have that porous soil that allows the gas to come up a little quicker."
While the geology plays a role, geography also is a factor.&nbsp;
"So, if you test your home for radon and you don't have any, you don't have high levels, that doesn't mean that, say, your neighbor might not have high levels. It really just depends on your specific home and where it's sitting," Malloy said.&nbsp;
The county has short-term radon testing kits available, the first step in the process. Because it's Radon Action Month, the Health Department is offering them for $9.00 each.&nbsp;
The kits are available at the Health Department as well as at every La Crosse County Library branch.&nbsp;
Additional Information:
<a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm" data-sf-ec-immutable="">https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm</a>
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/radon" data-sf-ec-immutable="">https://www.epa.gov/radon</a>
&nbsp;

Onalaska Superintendent discusses 4K preschool, district successes

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