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Board discusses budget gap, planned fund‑balance spend-down and lobbying ahead of April 1 referendum
Summary
District staff told the board they have narrowed a multi‑million dollar projected deficit to about $1.4 million through proposed reductions, described an April 1 operational referendum for up to $5 million per year (no borrowing), and outlined ongoing legislative lobbying.
Hudson School District administrators and board members reviewed the district’s budget forecast, referendum proposal and lobbying plans during the March 20 meeting.
Nick summarized the district’s financial position and the operational referendum on the April 1 ballot: an operational referendum request for up to $5,000,000 in additional revenue in any given year for up to six years, not structured as borrowing. Staff emphasized the referendum would increase annual operating revenue if passed; there is no new district borrowing tied to the referendum itself.
Budget staff presented reductions and projections: the district originally modeled a multi‑million dollar deficit and reduced that gap through proposed position reductions and lower budget assumptions, bringing the projected deficit down to about $1.4 million for the next fiscal year. Staff said they plan to spend down approximately $15 million of fund balance across the current and next fiscal years for planned construction work; maintaining three months of operating reserves and an adequate fund balance was described as necessary to manage cash flow from state aid and tax receipts.
Board members discussed tax impacts and strategy. Nick said the $5 million operational referendum would not be fully funded by a 4¢ mill-rate shift alone and that the district planned to reduce some debt prepayments to keep the referendum’s immediate mill-rate effect modest. The district also reported recent outreach for the referendum — informational meetings, postcards and offers to present to community groups.
Board members reviewed ongoing lobbying: the board and staff have met with state legislators and planned participation in the Wisconsin Association of School Boards lobby day in Madison. The board discussed asking legislators for modernized funding formulas, reimbursement for transportation and special-education services for private and home-schooled students, and consideration of capital funding options such as a local sales-tax mechanism.
No final budget decisions were made; the board agreed to pause further cuts until April 1 results are known and to continue monitoring enrollment and costs.
