Byron closes open enrollment for most grades

With little discussion, the Byron School Board agreed with a recommendation from Superintendent Nate Walbruch to close open enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year for all grade levels except second and third grade.
“Most of these grade levels are over the 180-student mark, or the teacher-to-student ratio is over the board-targeted size,” Walburch wrote in a memo.
Walbruch said in talking with K-5 Principal Abe Rodemeyer and Byron Primary Assistant Principal Brad Hak, they will likely close open enrollment for the rest of the grades after about a month.
The decision is something no schools in Dodge County are considering at this time.
“As we are just looking at our numbers for these grade levels, and then just considering some of the change of some of our staff at the different grade levels and in talking specifically with Mr. Rodemeyer or Mr. Hak, the recommendation was to still keep second and third grade open at least for the next month,” Walbruch said.
It was noted during the meeting that the decision to close open enrollment would not impact any families who move into town.
Different Approaches
Byron’s neighbor to the west, Kasson-Mantorville School District, has taken a different approach when it comes to open enrollment, said Superintendent Beth Giese.
“We are not looking at closing any sections; we would just add another section (which we did in kindergarten and 2nd grade),” she wrote in an email.
Triton Superintendent Luke Lutterman said his district is “not considering closing open enrollment at this time, and we have not had that discussion during my time at Triton.
“We have space to add classes,” he wrote. “I can see how that could potentially be a situation that needs to be addressed in school districts based on staffing and facilities.”
He added: “Ultimately, that would come down to having space based on enrollment and staffing. We would make sure we have the facilities, including building and classroom space, and the staff to meet the needs of all students. If enrollment exceeded our ability to meet student needs in a safe environment, we need to address continuing open enrollment or capping certain grade levels.”
Hayfield Superintendent Gregg Slaathaug wrote “We have not closed on grades at this time.”