Know the Facts

In Wisconsin, schools are funded mostly from two main sources -- contributions from the state budget (State Aid) and contributions from local property owners (Mil Rate). 

Despite careful fiscal management, the slow erosion of state aid in recent years and inflation driving up operational costs have left the SDMA in need of additional funding.  At the recent Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting of the SDMA (August 21, 2023), SDMA administration provided detailed information on the specific budget situation - read more here.  

Through the past decade, the state legislature froze school revenue limits, and when adjustments did occur, they did not account for historically high inflation. If the state had indexed for inflation, the SDMA would have received $1,247 more per student.  We are not alone in this crisis: 

82% of districts in the state have needed this option. Towns that have already voted “yes” can do more for their students, like Rice Lake, Hudson, Eau Claire, Elmwood, and more. It’s our turn.

The longer a district waits, the less competitive it can be with salaries for staff and resources for students compared to its peers across the state and across the world.

Each year, property owners contribute to the school district via property taxes based on the value of their property (house, land, business real-estate).  The word "mil rate" means "the cost per thousand dollars."

For example a "mil rate" of $5.00 would mean that a property worth $100,000 contributes $500 to the school district, and a property worth $200,000 contributes $1000 to the school district.  

The city, county, townships, technical schools, and other municipalities each have a different mill rate, and all together those (with some adjustments and credits) make up each property's annual property tax.

Over the past several years, the mil rate a has been dropping dramatically, which has contributed to the "fiscal cliff" situation.  Voting to increase the mil rate would ensure that our schools and kids get the funding they deserve for a high quality education.

The referendum will require a very small mill rate change of $82 per $100,000 of property value (a mil rate increase of $0.82) on annual property taxes.

Here's how to check your own property taxes and to see how much of them are going to SDMA:

1. Go to https://dunnportal.co.dunn.wi.us/GCSWebPortal/Search.aspx and search for your name or address.

2. Click on the "TAXES" tab near the top, and choose the tax year in the upper left.

3. Under DETAILS on the left, click the "Total" button for a dropdown of where your taxes went that year.  Local property taxes go to SDMA, your County, your City or Town, and possibly CVTC.
   
   
   In the November 16, 2023 School Board meeting, the district provided this graph of the projection.  As you can see,  the effect on taxes is relatively small, but it will have a huge impact on the education of our kids.
   
   

The short answer is: all the things that directly support the high-quality education of our students every day.  This means teachers, support staff, educational supplies, maintenance of our schools, and so on.

In more detail, an operating referendum primarily supports the regular operations ("Fund 10") of the school. The total operational budget is about $42.7 million. Of this amount, 76% goes to salaries, benefits, and support for special education.  The remaining 24% goes to services, computer systems, software, transportation costs, supplies, books, and so on. (See pages 9-14 of the district's 2023-2024 Annual Budget Report for details.) The district's expenses also include regular maintenance of the schools ("Fund 40"), which is carefully planned with a rolling 30-year plan to keep costs low for repair and replacement of HVAC equipment, roofs, plumbing, lighting, and upkeep of the buildings and grounds. 

An operating referendum is not for a specific facility. It cannot be "earmarked" or reserved for any specific project. The purpose of an operating referendum is to give our kids the high-quality education they deserve, every day.

Renters do not pay property taxes.

Property owners pay these property taxes. Of course, landlords set their rent based on a wide variety of market forces, including their own tax rates.

Drastic cuts would be needed, and those cuts would directly harm the education of our kids.

According the the official referendum guide:  "Without a successful referendum in the SDMA, drastic steps may be needed to reduce expenses. Cuts would likely include a reduction in programming, services, and staff; the deferral of important capital maintenance and technology projects; the acquisition of debt; increased class sizes; and even the possible closure of some district schools. The school district could use fund balance to continue current operations for a short period of time, but depleting the district’s fund balance would reduce interest income and add additional expenses to the budget for short-term borrowing and paying interest on a line of credit."

To pick apart that official description, without a referendum, parents should expect to see...

• Larger classes with fewer teachers in higher-stress classrooms.

• Less individualized support for reading, math, behavioral concerns, and other needs.

• Reduction of staff, and higher turnover of the remaining staff.

• Fewer activities, projects, and events, especially those that require transportation or supplies.

• Aging computers and technology that cannot be replaced.

• Deteriorating buildings and equipment that cannot be maintained.

• Possible closure and consolidation of schools, leading to longer bussing.
  
  

Menomonie can choose a better future.

By working together and voting Yes, we can ensure that our children have access to the highest quality education, giving them the tools they need to achieve their goals, secure their futures, and help Menomonie thrive for generations.