Fond du Lac board reviews failed referendum, hears concerns about taxes, services and outreach
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Summary
At a March 23 workshop, Superintendent Steinbarth and board members reviewed voting maps from the failed referendum, heard residents cite taxes, timing, unmet service expectations and communication gaps, and resolved to pursue more targeted outreach while moving forward with previously approved budget actions.
At a March 23 meeting of the Fond du Lac School District Board of Education, Superintendent Steinbarth and board members reviewed detailed voting maps and community feedback after the district’s most recent referendum failed.
Steinbarth told the board the maps and voter comments — which the district collected and summarized — help explain why support dropped in some areas. “We really did get out in front of the community to answer questions,” he said, adding that misinformation on social media complicated outreach and that the district must do more to reach residents without school-age children. Steinbarth warned the board that continued budget shortfalls could force reductions in course offerings and programs if local revenue isn’t restored.
The discussion centered on three recurring themes from constituents: the cost of increased property taxes and recent assessment changes, a desire for clearer, itemized spending figures (rather than broad "operations" language), and distrust tied to perceived unmet promises from a prior 2019 referendum. One board member summarized the financial feedback bluntly: “It’s tight. Many people just said they’re not gonna spend it.”
Several board members also raised equity and service concerns after outreach. A member reported that some Black and brown families and parents of students with IEPs said they felt underserved and that those families had switched from voting “yes” in prior years to “no” this time. Board members agreed to follow up with staff to examine complaints about special education services and other unmet needs.
Public comment preceded the vote portion of the meeting. A resident identified only as Matt told the board he was glad voters rejected the referendum and urged immigration enforcement, asserting the district should remove "illegal families" and cut translation services; the presiding officer responded: “We serve every child that lives in the Fond Du Lac community.” The board did not take any policy action in response to that comment during the meeting.
Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (minutes, personnel recommendations, retirements/resignations, bimonthly financial report) — approved on March 23, 2026, roll call vote 7–0. • 2027–28 school calendar — approved 7–0.
Why this matters: Board members said the referendum outcome will affect near-term budget choices and could force reductions in course offerings or staff over time. Members emphasized the need for clearer, more targeted community communications and additional outreach to families who reported unmet services.
What’s next: The board will continue public workshops on budget adjustments and plans to investigate specific service concerns raised by community members. The workshop also moved into a private review of staff acuity grant applications.
