Board schedules July 23 workshop to prepare for possible November referendum; trustees ask for detailed budgets and outreach plan

Board members spent a sizable portion of the July 20 meeting discussing whether the district should pursue an operational referendum in November 2026. Administration outlined the statutory window (board must adopt a resolution by Aug. 25 to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot) and reasons both for and against a November date, including turnout differences and the ability to apply referendum revenue to the current school year if passed.

Administrators presented high-level estimates of statewide revenue shortfalls (citing an example figure of roughly $2,200 per pupil, with other estimates up to $3,200–$3,400) and said a district serving about 1,000 students could be missing approximately $2.2 million in state aid compared with a 2009-inflation-adjusted baseline. They emphasized this is a statewide funding issue rather than a district-specific anomaly.

Trustees said they are willing to pursue the timeline that gives the community an opportunity to vote in November, but many said they need more precise, line-item financial information, an explicit spending plan for any referendum dollars, clarity about why a requested amount changed (if applicable), and a communications plan to rebuild community trust after the April referendum defeat. Several trustees suggested using a consultant for outreach and drafting materials; administration said budget funds are available for referendum consulting and that prior referendum materials could be re-used as a starting point.

The board agreed to hold a special workshop on July 23 at 5 p.m. to start assembling the necessary numbers and a schedule for follow-up meetings; administration was asked to bring prior referendum materials, revised budget assumptions, and draft community-engagement options. The board did not vote to adopt a referendum resolution at the meeting—members said the July 23 workshop and subsequent meetings will inform whether they approve a resolution by the statutory deadline.

The board also discussed forming a small subcommittee to help expedite work but noted Wisconsin open-meeting requirements (posting is required for subcommittee meetings when three or more board members participate). The chair said the goal is to hold several targeted sessions leading up to Aug. 25 to give the community the opportunity to vote if the board decides to move forward.