Jefferson school board approves operational referendum question for November ballot 

The School District of Jefferson Board of Education voted Monday to place an operational referendum question on the ballot for Tuesday, Nov. 5, according to information released by the district Wednesday.

Within its release, school district officials noted that, should the district’s voters approve the operational referendum, the district will be able to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit by $1.4 million per year over the next four years.

The referendum would then expire unless voters approved a new referendum, the release stated.

Within the release, officials explained the distinction between a capital referendum, citing one approved by voters in 2022, which allocated funds for building projects, and an operational referendum, like the one proposed for ballot placement in November. 

“The funding provided through the proposed referendum would help the district avoid significant cuts to programs, services, and staffing. The district’s top priorities would be maintaining comprehensive educational and co-curricular programs, including elementary reading, behavioral and mental health resources for students, school safety and technology infrastructure, and sustaining student-to-staff ratios,” the release read. 

“Like all Wisconsin districts,” the release continued, “the School District of Jefferson has a state-imposed revenue limit based on a formula established in 1993. This outdated formula, paired with minimal state aid for public schools in recent years, has led many districts to seek local support through operational referendums. Over the last decade, more than half of Wisconsin districts have received similar approval from voters. As it turns out, the realities of the state funding formula, rising costs, and dwindling financial support for public education from the State Legislature in recent years mean we must turn more toward our local community for the funding we need.”

Within the release, district officials said the district has “maintained financial discipline” and has been “responsible for the money our taxpayers have invested in their local schools.”

According to the release, district has made “significant cuts to balance the budget, including over $675,000 in staffing alone over the past year.”

Without an increase in operational funding, through the approval of an operational referendum, the release read, “the district will be forced to make further budget adjustments in 2025, significantly affecting programs and services for students. This may mean increased class sizes, more staff reductions, cuts to or elimination of elective offerings and co-curricular programs, decreased behavioral and mental health resources for students, further reducing budget allocations, and constraints on recruiting and retaining quality employees. All of these factors would hinder the district’s capacity to maintain the exceptional schools that have become a point of pride for our entire community.”

Would voters opt to approve the operational referendum in November, the release stated, “conservative estimates point to a mill rate of $9.05. Last year’s mill rate was $9.04. If approved, residents would see a projected property tax increase of $0.01 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. Both mill rates are the lowest in the last 10 years. The increased school levy tax credit (SLTC) will help offset some of this impact. Residents can find that amount listed on their tax bills.” 

As noted in the release, “The district is committed to keeping the community informed and engaged throughout this process. A dedicated webpage will soon be launched, providing answers to frequently asked questions about the referendum. Superintendent Charles Urness will also host several ‘Coffee with Charlie’ and ‘Lunch and Learn’ educational events in the community, offering residents the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of why the referendum is on the ballot.”