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Beloit board votes to begin planning April 2026 referendum
Summary
The Beloit School District Board voted unanimously May 6 to direct administration to begin preparing for an April 2026 operational referendum after repeated funding shortfalls; teachers’ union leaders urged early planning and stronger teacher compensation during public comment.
The Beloit School District Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to approve moving forward with preparations for an April 2026 referendum to address the district’s operating shortfall.
Board action came amid repeated public appeals from teachers and the Beloit Education Association urging early planning and clearer communication about potential cuts and revenue needs. James Hoye, co‑president of the Beloit Education Association, told the board that the union “strongly encourages the board to direct Dr. Garrison to begin planning for spring 2026 referendum” and urged the district to explain to voters what has already been cut and “what specifically will have to be cut if the next referendum fails again.”
The board president brought the referendum preparation item forward; Megan Miller moved the motion, Amy Levy seconded it, and the board approved it by unanimous voice vote.
Why it matters: the district has faced multiple failed referendums and an ongoing funding gap. Speakers during public comment warned that without new revenue the district will need to continue cutting staff and programs. Hoye said earlier planning would give the next campaign a better chance to succeed and warned that students and staff would “feel the pain next year” if planning did not begin now.
Details: during public comment, BEA leaders also urged the board and administration to consider staff compensation when drafting a new referendum. Hoye provided an estimate of $1.65 million as the combined approximate cost to give a standard cost‑of‑living raise and cover proposed insurance increases for next year: $1,400,000 for wages and $250,000 for insurance increases, numbers he attributed to union calculations during his remarks.
Board next steps: Board members discussed early and continuing community engagement on referendum planning during the meeting and named community volunteer groups supporting a campaign (Beloiters for Kids/Beloiters for Students). Several board members said the earlier timeline will allow more careful planning and outreach than the last campaign.
Quotes: “Earlier the planning and information can be made available, the better the opportunity it will have to pass,” James Hoye, BEA co‑president, said during public comment.
Ending: The board set the direction for staff to begin preparations for a spring 2026 referendum; board members and administration said they will return to the board with campaign planning, community engagement opportunities, and a timeline as that work proceeds.
