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Nekoosa board: failed referendum creates $2 million shortfall; district projects up to $3.2 million budget gap
Summary
Superintendent Nathan Black told the Nekoosa School District board that a failed referendum leaves the district about $2.0 million short for 2025–26. Business Manager Lynn Knight projected a possible $3.2 million deficit, outlined options including staff realignment, using fund balance, and delaying capital purchases, and said a new referendum could not be held until April 2026.
The Nekoosa School District will need to make program and staffing adjustments after voters rejected a recent referendum, Superintendent Nathan Black said at the board meeting.
“We have failed a referendum,” Nathan Black said, and “that is $2,000,000 in funding that we are now having to make up for in the course of the next school year.” He said the district will prioritize rebuilding community confidence on student behavior and academic performance and will begin a series of listening sessions to gather input.
Business Manager Lynn Knight told the board the district’s preliminary 2025–26 projections show a potential $3.2 million shortfall across funds if no additional revenue is secured or cuts are made. Knight said the deficit is driven by the $2.0 million referendum loss feeding directly into the general fund and by other projected revenue changes. “If we do nothing with 25/26, the budget is going to be in a deficit of $3,200,000,” Knight said. She added that the district is evaluating options such as using fund balance, deferring capital purchases, and aligning staffing with enrollment trends, but warned that drawing down reserves could draw credit-rating scrutiny.
Knight gave several specific figures to illustrate the fiscal picture: last year’s total levy was about $14,069,886; Fund 10 (the general operating fund) is projected to fall from roughly $11,000,000 in 2024–25 to about $9,000,000 under current projections; and a June 30, 2026 projected fund balance under a use-of-reserves scenario would be about $2,900,000. Knight cautioned that those projections are high level and subject to change as state aid estimates and other variables are finalized.
The board discussed staffing strategies tied to attrition and to changes in enrollment. Superintendent Black noted the district’s WISE Academy enrollment is expected to rise from about 220 students to roughly 300 over three years, which may offset some face-to-face enrollment declines. Still, several board members raised concerns about making deep cuts in a single year; Knight said she would attempt to manage reductions through attrition where possible to avoid immediate harm to students.
Knight also clarified referendum timing: because a statewide election is required for a referendum, the district cannot return to voters in November; the next practical window she cited is April 2026.
The board will review more detailed recommendations and an amended budget at future meetings. Knight said she expects to return in June with an amended budget to account for a $300,000 post-employment retirement oversight in the current year’s figures and to present additional options for balancing the 2025–26 budget.
Votes at a glance: The board approved several routine motions during the meeting including a board policy motion (R3) and the annual CESA 5 contract; the consent agenda with personnel actions and donations was approved unanimously. The board also voted to enter closed session to discuss an independent investigator’s report and the district administrator’s evaluation (see separate coverage).
