NORTHEAST WIS. – On April 7, the public will be asked to cast their ballots on offices ranging from the Wisconsin Supreme Court to local village boards. In addition to this, 72 school districts will be asking their tax payers for approval of operational referendums.
Districts seeking operational referendums include the Gillett School District, Lena Public School District and Oconto Unified School District.
The Gillett School Board unanimously voted to place an operational referendum on the upcoming ballot for $16 million over five years.
These funds will be used to retain and attract quality teachers and support staff; maintain programming and student-to-staff ratios; and sustain operations and district enrollment.
According to a press release from the district, state-funding has not kept pace with inflation and school districts across Wisconsin continue to attempt to exceed state-imposed revenue limits to address funding shortages.
The district shared that they have made money saving choices, including removing the dean of students position.
However, the district stated, “Beyond this change, reductions in staffing have already reached a point where further cuts would significantly increase class sizes and reduce opportunities for students to the point we would have to consider closing the school district. Even with conservative spending, the district now projects a $2 million deficit in 2026 – 2027 and $2.8 million in 2027–2028 without additional revenue authority.”
According to a 2025 tax levy comparison provided by Baird Financial Services, Gillett School District has the lowest tax levy compared to surrounding districts. Of the six schools included in the report, Gillett is at $3,108,639.
Bonduel School District is the next lowest at $4,664,972 and Pulaski Community School District was the highest in the report at $22,421,954.
The press release explained that “instead of a single large increase, this referendum proposes a five year, phased plan that would increase funding by $2 million dollars in the first year — with a projected year one increase of $19.75 per month per $100,000 of property value — with additional increases spread out over the following four years.”
If the referendum doesn’t pass, the district said, “Without this investment in our schools we simply cannot sustain our current educational programming, student services or staffing levels.”
They added that “exploratory discussions with the [Department of Public Instruction] would begin on dissolving the district after the 2026 - 2027 school year.”
The Gillett School District referendum question will read on the ballot as follows:
“Shall the Gillett School District be authorized to exceed state revenue limits on a non-recurring basis by $2,000,000 in the 2026-2027 school year; $2,800,000 in the 2027-2028 school year; $3,200,000 in the 2028-2029 school year; $3,700,000 in the 2029-2030 school year; and $4,300,000 in the 2030-2031 school year, for nonrecurring purposes, with such revenues used to maintain the district’s instructional programs and operations?”
The Lena Public School District’s Board of Education authorized a resolution to exceed the local revenue limit by asking voters to pass a five-year $6 million operational referendum during the upcoming election.
The district shared in a press release that the funds will be used to continue the roof replacement project; remodel the elementary and middle school bathrooms; increase storage areas; and upgrade HVAC units, school safety measures and technology needs.
A large reason that the Lena district is seeking this referendum is due to state funding not keeping pace with inflation and overall costs, they shared.
“This year alone, the state reduced Lena’s state aid by $200,000 and also has not kept up with supporting the growing high-cost needs in special education,” they shared.
In regards to local fundings, the district said that they under-levied — taxed less than they were authorized to — for the past three years following the 2021 operational referendum. The Lena district taxed $3,175,099 of the $4.25 million they were able to.
“This is unprecedented and cannot be understated. We did this as a show of good faith to our community and to use our strong fund balance to offset our budget expenses,” the district explained.
Under-levying allowed Lena to have historically low mill rates over the past three years, but said that this is no longer sustainable for their long-term financial needs.
“While it is impossible to predict exact mill rates due to unstable state aid numbers and rising property value assessments, we are expecting a tax increase of roughly $120 per $100,000 of assessed property value,” the release read.
Money-saving steps have been made by the district outside of operational referendums, including reducing staff by not hiring new members following retirements. This year alone, administrators plan to remove at least four positions using this strategy.
They hope to continue using this strategy going forward, explaining that “passing the referendum will help us carry out this gradual plan of staff reductions instead of having to do immediate and deeper cuts.”
If the referendum doesn’t pass, the district would have to find ways to reduce their budget by over $1 million.
“Staffing decisions would be affected and programming choices would be required. Each has a negative impact on the educational quality the Lena Public School District is able to provide,” the release added.
The Lena Public School District referendum question will read on the ballot as follows:
“Shall the Lena Public School District, Oconto and Marinette Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,000,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, by $1,100,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, by $1,200,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, by $1,300,000 for the 2029-2030 school year, and by $1,400,000 for the 2030-2031 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of ongoing educational expenses and maintaining facilities?”
The Oconto Unified School District Board of Education is asking voters for permission to exceed the state revenue limit by $6 million across five years.
During a previous virtual open forum, superintendent Emily Miller explained that the district operates under a non-recurring $800,000 annual referendum, which will soon expire. In addition to filling this need, the requested $400,000 will allow the district to address new rising costs.
Some of these rising costs include “transportation, health insurance, classroom materials, technology and competitive wages.”
Like many other school districts, this referendum is being requested following the impacts of inflation as well as decreases in state aid.
The district shared in a press release that this referendum wouldn’t be used to fund new projects, but to “help maintain the level of services currently provided to students and families.”
Steps towards saving money have been made by the district, including by not hiring additional staff following retirements.
If the referendum does pass, the district estimated an annual tax impact of $6.85 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value — a $0.30 increase. This would look like $45 per year on a home valued at $150,000; $75 per year on a home valued at $250,000; or $105 per year on a home valued at $350,000. Actual tax bills can vary depending on local property assessments and lottery credits.
Previously, Miller shared that if the referendum does not pass then the school will have to discuss increasing class sizes and reducing staff, extracurricular activities and elective courses.
In a press release, Miller wrote, “Our responsibility as a district is to make sure residents have clear and accurate information about the question on the ballot, the financial impact, and how it connects to maintaining our day-to-day operations. An informed community is a strong community, and we encourage residents to learn more and participate in the April 7 election.”
The Oconto Unified School District referendum question will read on the ballot as follows:
“Shall the Oconto Unified School District, Oconto County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,200,000 per year for five years, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and ending with the 2030-2031 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of district operation and maintenance costs?”
For additional information regarding these referendums, contact the individual school district or visit their website.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here