The Fort Atkinson School Board approved on Monday an operational referendum question for inclusion on the Tuesday, April 2, ballot, according to information released by the district.
If the referendum is approve by voters, the release stated, the district will exceed its revenue limit by $6.5 million per year for the next three years.
“With a continued priority for student safety and wellbeing, this additional funding would allow the district to avoid further cuts to programs, services, and staffing while maintaining current programs and course offerings. The district would also focus on retaining its high-quality teachers and staff,” the release read.
“I am pleased with the board’s action tonight and proud of the diligence of our administration in managing our budget and funding challenges. We look forward to presenting this updated solution to our community on the ballot in April,” School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education President Kory Knickrehm was quoted as saying in the release.
The release stated that “an approved operational referendum would not increase the property tax levy rate. This is possible due to the school board accelerating debt payments from the 2022 capital referendum as part of its most recent budget and tax levy for the 2023-24 school year.”
In addition, the release stated that the board recently lowered the property tax levy rate by $1.31 for the 2023-24 school year, to $9.61, which, the release continued, “represents a 12.21% decrease and is the lowest mill rate in a decade for the district.”
According to the release, many Wisconsin school districts, including the School District of Fort Atkinson, face significant financial challenges that “are largely the result of the state’s outdated and inequitable school funding formula, a lack of funding for public education from the state Legislature in recent years, and rapidly increasing expenses and inflation.
“Last year, the district made $3.3 million in budget reductions. About $1.2 million came through staff attrition and restructuring and $2.1 million in cuts, while still maintaining programming for students. The district also prepaid debt to save money on interest and invested in caring for its facilities.”
Within the release and for more information, the district encourages residents to visit https://www.fortschools.org/vote.
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This article says that if the referendum passes the revenue limit will be exceeded by $6.5 million per year. The school website says it will be a total of $6.5 million over a 3-year period. Which is correct??
Our story, which is developed from a news release supplied to us by the district, says: “$6.5 million per year for the next three years.” I’m not sure where on the district’s website you might be reading something else. Here is the actual language which was presented to the school board as a resolution which was approved on Jan. 15: “BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson and Rock Counties, Wisconsin, that the final school district budget beginning with the 2024-25 school year shall include an amount not to exceed $6,500,000 each year on a nonrecurring basis for a period of three years through the 2026-27 school year in excess of the revenue limits imposed by Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes for the purpose of paying District operating costs.” Hope that helps.