Middleton board weighs three levy options as district growth and service cuts loom

The Middleton School District board discussed three supplemental‑levy options and instructed district staff to prepare language for the ballot, focusing on tradeoffs between preserving services and increasing the measure’s public support.

Administrator (Speaker 7) presented three scenarios: keeping the previously requested 2.4 (to maintain current services and planned technology and curriculum renewals), reducing the levy to $1.9 million (which would scale back security staffing and curriculum renewal and limit transportation options), and lowering it further to $1.5 million (which would require cuts including about seven certified and roughly 12 classified positions and reductions in building maintenance and curriculum support). “As a board, I think we need to be looking at either the 1.5 or the 1.9,” Speaker 7 said, framing the question around what the community is likely to support.

Board members and administrators highlighted concrete effects tied to each choice: the higher levy would have funded armed security at the high school and middle school and broader curriculum and technology renewals; the mid option would preserve more classroom staff but eliminate some security expansions and reduce transportation services; the lowest option would mean deeper cuts to staffing, instructional materials and maintenance. Administrator 7 estimated a near‑40% increase in pay‑to‑play fees for some activities under the mid option and said fewer legally non‑required bus routes would be offered under smaller levy scenarios.

Trustees discussed community turnout and perceptions, noting low participation in prior levy elections in parts of the district (some precincts saw roughly 20% turnout). Trustee comments stressed the need for clearer public education about what the district’s modernization funds can and cannot be used for; Speaker 7 reminded the board that modernization funds are legally restricted to capital projects and cannot be used for operating expenses such as salaries or regular maintenance.

The board directed the superintendent to work with legal counsel to draft ballot language for two options (the $1.9M and $1.5M proposals), prepare community outreach via district channels and social media, and return to the board in March with final language and additional community feedback. Speaker 7 noted the filing deadline logistics and that the county allows a limited window to withdraw ballot language if needed.

The board did not vote on a final levy amount at the meeting; direction given was procedural to prepare materials for the next meeting and the March filing timeline.

The next procedural step: staff will provide ballot language options and outreach plans at the district’s March meeting so trustees can set the levy amount and official ballot language.