DeForest Area School District to seek November operating referendum; estimated $288 on $400,000 home

Officials from the DeForest Area School District told the Village of Windsor Board on Sept. 19 that the district will ask voters in November to approve an operating referendum that it says is needed to increase operating funding.

Superintendent Rebecca Toetz, School Board President Gail Lovick and Kathy Davis-Phillips, the district's director of business and auxiliary services, presented the district's annual update and fielded questions from trustees. The district reported enrollment growth of about 50 students last year and said that, like other Dane County districts, it needs additional operating revenue.

The presentation included a tax estimate: 'The tax impact would be $.72 per $1,000 or $288 for a $400,000 home,' according to the minutes. Trustee Bruce Stravinski commented that 'education is important for our society,' and President Bob Wipperfurth said he was 'appreciative that they are doing what is best for our students.'

Why it matters: an operating referendum would increase property taxes for local homeowners if approved and provide the district with additional ongoing operating funds to support classrooms and services. The board did not take a vote on the referendum itself; district officials were presenting information and answering questions.

The referendum will be on the November ballot; the district's presentation provided the estimated tax impact and enrollment context but did not include additional budget detail in the village meeting minutes.