File photo of a classroom in the newly-remodeled Clintonville Elementary School on Oct. 12, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — The school districts of Appleton, Fond du Lac, Menasha and Howard-Suamico will all go to referendum at this spring’s election in April.
On Monday night, their school boards approved putting operational referendums on the ballots in their communities. Here are the details.
Appleton Area School District
- Reason: $13 million annual budget deficit
- Cost: $15 million per year
- Length: Four years
- Tax increase: $37 per $100,000 of property value
- Survey data: 59.5% respondents said they would support
- What it will be used for: Balancing the budget, hiring social workers, school counselors and a homeless coordinator, according to Superintendent Greg Hartjes
Fond du Lac School District
- Reason: Future deficit projected, though currently balanced
- Cost: $7.5 million per year
- Length: Four years
- Tax increase: $151 per $100,000 of property value in year one, possibly as low as $12 per $100,000 of property value in year four (rate will decrease over time)
- Survey data: Over 50% of respondents said they would support
- What it will be used for: Balancing the budget, improving security at the high school, installing cameras district-wide, maintaining current class sizes, according to Superintendent Matt Steinbarth
Menasha Joint School District
- Reason: $1.5 million annual budget deficit, projected to grow
- Cost: $6 million per year
- Length: Six years
- Tax increase: $5 per $100,000 of property value
- Survey data: Over 50% of respondents said they would support a referendum below $7 million per year
- What it will be used for: Maintain the current staff, class sizes; prevent future cuts, according to Superintendent Matt Zimmerman
Howard-Suamico School District
- Reason: Current operational referendum set to expire
- Cost: $2 million per year for first two years (through 2027-28), $7 million per year for next five years
- Length: Seven years total
- Tax increase: None compared to current referendum tax rate
- Survey data: 60.5% of respondents said they would support an operational referendum
- What it will be used for: Invest in student programs, small class sizes and staff compensation, according to the district
Voters will also decide whether to support a $147 million facilities referendum for additions, renovations, maintenance and improvements at Bay Port High School, Howard, Meadowbrook, Suamico and Lineville Schools, and maintenance at Bay Harbor School. Survey data showed 64% of respondents would support, assuming the tax rate does not increase (it is not projected to).
Why are so many schools going to referendum, despite property taxes increasing?
- School funding advocates will point out that per-pupil state funding hasn’t kept up with inflation.
Revenues per pupil lag inflation
- School funding critics will point to increased staff and declining enrollment.
When is the spring election?
The spring election features only non-partisan races and will take place April 7.
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