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School District of Janesville Celebrates Teacher, Staff, and Administrator Excellence: Honors Award Nominees and 30 and 35-Year Veterans 

JANESVILLE, Wisconsin — October 9, 2026 — The School District of Janesville (SDJ) celebrated its brightest stars and most dedicated veterans at a special event honoring the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year and Staff Member of the Year nominees. The district also recognized the loyalty of staff members who have served the district for 30 and 35 years. 

The eleven award nominees represent a cross-section of the district’s finest talent, ranging from classroom educators and principals to essential support staff. They were nominated by their peers and selected for the honor based on their unwavering commitment to student success, leadership among peers, and positive impact on the wider school community. 

"Excellence starts with our people, and our staff truly lead and pave the way for every student to learn, grow, and succeed," said Superintendent Mark Holzman. "Our strategic plan explicitly commits us to honoring and celebrating staff excellence, because leadership in our schools directly drives student achievement. These honorees set the benchmark for dedication, creating learning environments where students thrive and inspiring all of us across the district and community." 

The evening included a reception followed by a presentation featuring tributes from administrators and personal reflections from the honorees on their work with the district. 

Teacher of the Year

• Amy Cleasby, Roosevelt Elementary School
• Stephanie Davis, ARISE  
• Colleen Feld, Monroe Elementary School
• Jenny Sikora, Parker High School

Emergent Teacher of the Year

• Erin Bier, Rock River Charter School
• Anna Fish, Marshall Middle School
• Alexis Hoium, Wilson Elementary School

Staff of the Year

• Kelly Elliot, Marshall Middle School
• Tanya Morgan, Monroe Elementary School

Administrator of the Year

• Clayton Kreger, Parker High School
• Amanda Spranger, Edison Middle School 

30-year recipients

• Janet Attoe
• Lisa Haberli
• Kristin Jaecks
• Christopher Kolak
• Sarah Krause
• Kelly Splinter
• Kristen Stark
• Karen Biege
• Brent Corey
• Rebecca Diener
• Heidi Dunk
• Dawn Farmer
• Rebecca Garber
• Stacy Glowacki
• Stephanie Edwards
• Amanda Zdrale
• Lisa Zimmerman 

35-year recipients

• Allison DeGraaf, Educational Services Center
• David Holmquist
• Michael Platts
• Trevor Steinke 

40-year recipients  

• Scott Richardson 

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2026 

Contact: Patti Lux Mlsna, patti.luxmlsna@janesville.k12.wi.us

School District of Janesville Continues to See Gains Across Grade Levels, Outperforms State Average in Statewide Assessments

JANESVILLE—Students in the School District of Janesville (SDJ) once again showed overall improvement in academic performance on the 2025-26 Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS), according to data released today by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

The results, drawn from the Wisconsin Forward Exam and the ACT, indicate growth across several grade levels and subject areas. These assessments are used for both state and federal accountability and contribute to the school and district report cards, which are expected later this fall.

On the Forward Exam, students in SDJ grades 3-5 outperformed the state average in both reading and math. Reading proficiency among students in these grades was 7 percent higher than the state average, with fourth grade showing the largest growth — an increase of more than 8 percentage points, compared to less than 2 percent change in the state average. In math, students in grades 3-5 scored 7 percent above the state average. Fourth-grade students again led the way, scoring 7 percent above the state average.

In social studies and science, assessed only in fourth grade, proficiency increased in both subject areas, exceeding the state average.

At the middle-school level, Janesville students scored below the state average in English language arts and math. However, sixth-grade students showed the most notable year-over-year gains in ELA from the 2024-25 school year and exceeded the state average.  In math, sixth grade increased by over 7 percentage points. 

High school students earned a districtwide ACT composite score of 18.9, an increase from the previous year and just .2 points from the state average. In ELA, the district beat the state average with a score of 18.5 versus 18.4 statewide. Other subject areas for the district improved compared to 2024-25.

“We are pleased that our students’ scores on the ACT continue to rise. One of our goals is to surpass the state average composite score,” said Chris Medenwaldt, SDJ Director of Secondary Education. “These types of assessments help us create plans for growth and improvement, and to modify strategies that focus on curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices geared toward the college and career readiness skills for students.” 

The Forward Exam is administered to all students in grades 3-8, with tenth-grade students tested only in social studies. The ACT is given to all eleventh-grade students. A small number of students with significant cognitive disabilities participate in the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessment as an alternative.

The WSAS, administered to students in Wisconsin in the spring of the school year, measures student achievement against the Wisconsin Academic Standards, which define what students should know and be able to perform to be college- and career-ready. The Wisconsin Forward Exam is a computer-administered assessment and includes multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions.

“Over the past year, we have seen remarkable growth across our entire school system — and that success is directly rooted in the dedication of our school leaders and staff,” said. Dr. Allison DeGraaf, SDJ Director of Learning and Innovation. “By looking closely at specific student data, our educators have been able to identify exact learning needs, tailor their instruction, and meet students precisely where they are. These results reflect the hard work of our school teams and their commitment to ensuring every student makes meaningful, measurable progress.”

Note: Graphs follow, showing results for Janesville School District students in tested grades compared to prior years and the state average. For more information about statewide assessment, visit the Wisconsin DPI Assessments Page.

To view detailed WSAS data for specific schools or districts, visit the WISEdash data portal.

DPI’s official news release

 

On behalf of the Board of Education, I am thrilled to share some wonderful news about the future of our district. Following a thorough process, we have selected Dr. Allison DeGraaf as the new Superintendent of the School District of Janesville, effective with the 2027–2028 school year.

As many of you know firsthand, Dr. DeGraaf is a dedicated, 35-year veteran of our district. She brings to this role a rare depth of institutional knowledge, executive vision, and a commitment to the success of our educators, support staff, students, and families.

Dr. DeGraaf’s journey in Janesville spans every level of our system:

• Classroom & Instructional: She began her career right here as a classroom teacher in 1991 and later served as an Academic Learning Coach.

• Building-Level Leadership: As principal of Kennedy Elementary School from 2011 to 2017, she led the school to earn prestigious national recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012.

• District-Level Innovation: Throughout her tenure as the Director of Learning and Innovation, Dr. DeGraaf has helped drive significant systemic progress across the district. She has led curriculum adoption, worked closely with district leadership on strategic goals and referendum planning, chaired the Education Council in partnership with the Forward Janesville Chamber of Commerce, and established rigorous hiring protocols for district administrators.
   

Her contributions have been recognized across the state and community—most recently as the Forward Janesville Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year (2024), the District Administrator of the Year (2020), Principal of the Year (2014), and Teacher of the Year (1998).
 

Beyond her extensive credentials—including a Ph.D. from UW-Madison and her Superintendent License—Dr. DeGraaf’s connection to our schools is deeply personal. As a long-time Janesville resident and district parent, she truly understands what makes our school community special.

"I am honored to be selected as the next superintendent of the School District of Janesville," shared Dr. DeGraaf. "Having spent my entire career working alongside the extraordinary educators, staff, and families in this community, I know firsthand how special our district is. I look forward to partnering with all of you as we continue to elevate student achievement, support our staff, and empower every learner to reach their full potential."

The Board is confident that Dr. DeGraaf will provide the strong leadership, steady continuity, and collaborative vision needed to build upon our incredible momentum.

We look forward to working closely with Dr. DeGraaf during this upcoming transition period. Please join us in celebrating her appointment and congratulating her on this well-deserved achievement!

With gratitude for everything you do,

Lisa Hurda, School District of Janesville Board of Education President

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Overview of the months-long process the Board has undertaken regarding the upcoming leadership transition for the School District of Janesville.

• Early January 2026: Superintendent Holzman confidentially shared his intent to retire at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 academic year.

• February 2026: The Board discussed the distinct advantage of approaching a highly qualified internal candidate. Recognizing this individual's achievements, expertise, and proven leadership within the School District of Janesville, the Board reached a consensus authorizing the then-Board President Kevin Murray and Vice President Lisa Hurda to gauge their interest in the role.

• March 2026: The Board held an exploratory conversation with the internal candidate, who expressed a strong, positive desire to step into this executive leadership position.

• June 2026: Superintendent Holzman formally submitted his letter of resignation for retirement. To protect the integrity of this personnel matter and the Board’s active internal discussions, this remained confidential. The Board subsequently authorized Lisa Hurda, current School Board President, to move forward with the internal candidate.

• July 2026: The Board collaborated to create a dedicated space and time for an internal interview process with the internal candidate. A preliminary set of interview questions was created, and valuable feedback, suggestions, and revisions from fellow Board members were received to finalize the interview materials.

• August 2026: On August 25th, the Board conducted a formal interview with the internal candidate during a closed session. This interview thoroughly solidified their consensus that they were the ideal selection for our next Superintendent, and the Board authorized Lisa Hurda to initiate contract negotiations.

• September 2026: With contract negotiations complete, the Board publicly announced Superintendent Holzman's upcoming retirement and named a new superintendent.
   

Board President, Lisa Hurda, further shares,

"We are incredibly excited to recommend Dr. Allison DeGraaf- a 35-year veteran of our district - as the next Superintendent of the School District of Janesville, effective for the 2027-2028 academic year. This timeline reflects a tireless, dedicated effort by the entire School Board since the beginning of the year. Throughout this personnel matter, the Board has carefully and deliberately exercised its executive power to appoint a District Administrator. We have operated strictly within the guidelines outlined in board policies as it relates to the selection and hiring of a District Administrator. While our policies state that the Board may engage professional consultants to assist in a search, we made the strategic decision not to engage an external firm. Because we already had an exceptionally strong internal candidate driving success within our district, we chose to focus our efforts here. We wholeheartedly believe in and support Dr. Allison DeGraaf, and we are confident she is the right leader to continue the exceptional work happening in our schools."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Patti Lux Mlsna
Public Information Office
Website: www.janesville.k12.wi.us

SDJ Rescues 100+ Years of Yearbooks from Basement to Launch Complete Digital History Archive

A century of school days, forgotten rivalries, vintage fashion trends, and timeless memories—finally brought back into the light!

After decades resting quietly in a dusty basement, over 100 years of school history have been rescued, preserved, and brought into the digital age. Every page from the past century has been carefully scanned and digitized, creating an interactive archive accessible to anyone, anywhere, at the click of a button.

Unlocking a Century of Stories

This monumental preservation project isn't just about scanning old books—it’s about honoring the generations of students, teachers, and families who built our community.

• Travel Back in Time: Revisit classic haircuts, championship sports seasons, legendary club photos, and local traditions stretching back over ten decades.

• Preserving Our Heritage: Safeguarding these fragile physical pages ensures our community's rich heritage remains protected forever against time, wear, and loss.

• Instant Digital Access: Whether you're a local history enthusiast, an alumnus reminiscing with family, or searching for a grandparent's high school portrait, a century of memories is now right at your fingertips.

Our history isn't tucked away in the dark anymore—it's alive, searchable, and ready for you to explore.

Access the Digital Archive

The complete digitized yearbook collection is live and open for public search. To explore the archive, search for loved ones, or step back in time, visit the Yearbooks Website!