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šŸŒ± How will Janesvilleā€™s shrinking enrollment affect school funding and programs?

Janesville, Wisconsin Patch AM: a 5 min read

Greetings Janesville! Weā€™re your go-to source for whatā€™s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ā˜€ļø

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Janesvilleā€™s shrinking enrollment affect school funding and programs?
  • What Janesville homeowners could pay under the new 2027 city budget.
  • Janesville families remember Jody Lee Kraus and Lois Ann Altmann.

Also on today's calendar: Bible Study and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call cheese that isn't yours? šŸ¤” (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 76 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and not as warm, temps: high: 66, low: 52.
  • Thursday: Cloudy, a shower and t-storm, with a high of 61 and low of 41 degrees.

šŸ“° News we're reading

1. Janesville School District enrollment sees another sharp decline in enrollment (gazettextra.com) ā€” Janesville School Districtā€™s enrollment has dropped by 222 students this fall, pushing total enrollment below 9,000 and likely affecting future state funding. Preschool numbers fell sharply and more families are open enrolling to nearby districts and virtual schools, while Janesville still attracts some students from neighboring communities. Officials say the decline reflects broader statewide demographic and homeschooling trends.
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2. City of Janesville proposes $146.8 million budget (gazettextra.com) ā€” Janesville officials are proposing a $146.8 million 2027 city budget that would raise the median homeownerā€™s municipal taxes and utility costs while closing a $1.8 million shortfall. The plan leans on fund balances, trims some spending, and anticipates higher wastewater and stormwater fees. Residents will have chances to weigh in at October study sessions and a November public hearing.
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3. Death notices for Oct. 13, 2026 (gazettextra.com) ā€” Janesville families are mourning the recent deaths of residents Jody Lee Kraus, 51, and Lois Ann Altmann, 97, with services and arrangements handled by local funeral homes and Oak Hill Cemetery. The notice also includes service details for Barbara Erickson of Lake Geneva. Readers can sign up to receive daily obituary listings by email on weekday mornings.
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4. Fiscal Facts: Grounding a Charged Debate - Enterprise Sentinel Rural News (esonline.news subscription) ā€” Janesville is cited as one of the Wisconsin communities where a proposed data center was ultimately canceled, as a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report examines how such projects affect local taxes, power demand, and public finances. For local readers, the findings highlight both the potential benefits and fiscal risks if similar large-scale developments are proposed again in Janesville.
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5. America's Hottest Market No More: This New England City Just Dropped Out of the Top 20 (lmtonline.com) ā€” Homebuyers are increasingly eyeing Janesville for its relative affordability, with prices about $85,000 lower than in Madison while still within an hourā€™s commute. A new Realtor.com ranking shows Kenosha topping the nationā€™s ā€œhottest markets,ā€ and Janesville emerging as another regional ā€œaffordable alternativeā€ metro, potentially drawing more commuters and new neighbors to the city.
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šŸ“ø Around Janesville

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

šŸ—“ Upcoming Events in Janesville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

ā˜… Featured events ā˜…

    Wednesday October 14
  • Coffee Talk ā†’
    Bodacious Shops of Block 42, 119 N Main St., Janesville
    9:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

šŸ“£ Janesville Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

šŸ’¬ Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Since losing my husband, Iā€™ve spent the past few years living on my own and learning to appreciate the peace and independence that come with it.
    Even so, there are times when I miss having someone to talk to or share a little laughter with. Iā€™ve come to realize that some of lifeā€™s nicestā€¦ (Nextdoor Laurel Ave)
  • We're ready for trick-or-treaters!
    We will have a fire to warm up next too; hot cocoa and hot apple cider both adult and kid friendly plus treats for kids of all ages #TreatMap (Nextdoor Janesville)
  • Universal Forest Products - UFP Industries, Inc. posted a job opening for 2nd Shift Forklift Operator in Janesville. Apply here.
  • Generac Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Part Shipper I - Janesville SVC -Outbound 2nd Shift in Janesville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Janesville here.

Ok Janesville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call cheese that isn't yours?" ā€” Nacho cheese! (Thank you Lorille C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

šŸ‘‰ Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you whatā€™s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Janesville

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Janesville

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.