Beloit School Board approves referendum question to exceed revenue limits; vote 6-1

The Beloit School District Board of Education voted 6-1 on Jan. 16 to place a referendum on the spring ballot that would allow the district to exceed state revenue limits by $9,170,000 for 2025'026; $14,120,000 for 2026'027; and $16,950,000 for 2027'028 to fund teacher and staff compensation, academic programs, behavioral supports and some facility needs.

The vote followed more than two hours of discussion among seven board members, district leaders and public commenters about how the money would be spent, hiring risks, and lingering public skepticism after prior failed referenda. The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Greg Schneider and seconded by Amy Levy; Brian Nichols cast the lone dissenting vote.

Board President Tia Johnson opened the discussion by framing the resolution as a response to ongoing budget shortfalls leading into the 2025'026 school year and said the board sought to "gain approval of the resolution for exceeding the revenue limit for three years for a spring referendum." Superintendent Dr. Garrison and district finance staff walked the board through a multi-year spending scenario the administration calls H2, describing prioritized buckets for compensation, academics and behavioral supports.

Dr. Garrison said the H2 model uses a five percent salary increase in year one for modeling purposes and includes built-in three percent annual increases elsewhere in benefits and operating costs. He described the proposal as intended to preserve current operations and reduce projected deficits, saying, "This is the first time since I've been here where we kinda have asked what we what we need just to maintain and survive, and our what we're currently doing." The superintendent also urged the board and public to view the request as a multi-year stabilization effort rather than a short-term fix.

Board members and staff detailed estimated program costs incorporated into the referendum model. The district identified a three-year reading/math package totaling $1,680,000 and a three-year behavioral-support package totaling $2,840,000; together those buckets are presented as the core instructional and student-support investments in the proposal. The plan also includes a $180,000 line item for virtual reading tutors and a small amount the administration said could be used for limited maintenance or to rebuild fund balance.

Budget context provided at the meeting showed a projected first-year deficit of about $6.6 million without a referendum and a second-year shortfall that could exceed $8 million. The administration said without additional revenue the district would face repeated reductions that would impair its ability to deliver current programs and retain staff.

Board members pressed administration on implementation risks if the district cannot hire for newly budgeted positions. Mr. Chaney (district staff) and Dr. Garrison clarified that unfilled positions free up budgeted dollars that typically return to the district as savings for that fiscal year; those savings may be used for ongoing operating needs or to replenish fund balance, but they emphasized that unfilled positions carry operational costs such as overload pay or lost prep time for existing teachers.

Public comment included an emailed statement from Bill Williams urging rejection of additional spending: "The Beloit Public Schools can't even teach reading, writing, and basic math skills adequately anymore, and they want another 40,000,000. No." The board acknowledged community skepticism, and several trustees, including Brian Nichols, said the district needed more public outreach before asking voters for a larger, multi-year ask. "I can no longer support the amount of money that this district wants from the voters and the taxpayers based on what I'm hearing outside," Nichols said during deliberations.

After extended debate over timeline and amounts, the board approved two related resolutions by roll call: (1) adopting the language that would exceed the revenue limit for the specified amounts and (2) placing that question on the ballot for a referendum. Both motions passed 6-1. The board heard administration's estimate that the H2 scenario would produce modest surpluses in the model years (a small first-year surplus in the presentation and larger surpluses in subsequent modeled years) and that the package would not restore the district's fund balance to the board's 18 percent policy level.

Votes at a glance: 1) Resolution authorizing the district budget to exceed the revenue limit (9,170,000 for 2025'026; 14,120,000 for 2026'027; 16,950,000 for 2027'028). Motion: Greg Schneider; second: Amy Levy. Roll call: Greg Schneider Aye; Amy Levy Aye; Brian Nichols Nay; Brian Anderson Aye; Tom Hankins Aye; Megan Miller Aye; Tia Johnson Aye. Outcome: approved, 6-1. 2) Resolution providing for a referendum election on the question described above. Motion: Greg Schneider; second: Amy Levy. Roll call: same as above. Outcome: approved, 6-1.

The board directed administration to continue outreach and said staff would bring back reports and data on implementation if the referendum passes. Trustees and staff also discussed alternative packages and shorter timelines, with some members urging consideration of a smaller or one-year ask to increase voter support; others argued the district needs a multi-year plan to avoid immediate, deeper cuts. The board concluded the meeting by approving the resolutions and adjourning.

The district will now proceed with election logistics if county election officials accept the ballot language; the referendum outcome will determine whether the district may exceed its state-imposed revenue limit for the three years specified in the adopted question.