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SDWD is currently accepting applications for open enrollment for the 2025-26 school year. Please visit DPI for more information and to print the application. You can direct any questions to Tiffany Clary at tclary@sdwd.k12.wi.us
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MARCH 2026
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
Please allow me to begin the March e-newsletter article with several upcoming calendar events. Hopefully, spring is right around the corner, and we can put winter weather in our rearview mirror. As a reminder, our clocks will “spring” forward on Sunday, March 8th, and, as such, the end of the school day will gain a full extra hour of sunlight. While gaining the extra daylight at the end of the day is great, it can be a bit of an adjustment for students to get to school on time. Also, the district will observe an annual spring break at the end of the month. Specifically, there will be no classes on Friday, March 27th, and classes will resume on Monday, April 6, 2026. Finally, if you are an advanced planner, you can find a 2026-27 calendar link here to see when spring break is scheduled for next year.
OPERATING REFERENDUM PRESENTATIONS
The district has held a couple of public informational presentations. If you have not had a chance to attend a meeting yet, please note the following remaining opportunities. Wednesday, March 11, is the next scheduled presentation. This presentation will take place at WDMS in the Library beginning at 6:00 p.m. There are also presentations scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 6:00 pm in the LMC at WDHS, and finally on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:00 pm in the District Office's large conference room. We hope you can attend one of these meetings, as the presentation explains why there is such a need for operating referendums across the state.
While the question being posed is higher than the previous four-year period, the impact leading into the 2026-27 school year will ask for $850,000 more than the current year's levy. This is possible because of how the district has structured its repayment of capital project debt. This will see the estimated local mill rate essentially remain flat with a projected 2026 rate of $6.10 next fall. This is based on local equalized valuations increasing by 4.0%. The district’s mill rate is in the lowest quartile in the state and 0.99 cents below the state average of $7.09 this past fall.
Additionally, you may have seen that the six Sauk County Superintendents recently co-authored a letter to the state legislature expressing the need for greater state aid and property tax relief. If you have not yet seen this letter, we have included a copy at the end of this newsletter. In short, a successful referendum will continue to provide the necessary revenue to operate our schools at nearly the same service level for the next three years.
MARCH SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
In March, the district will be celebrating and recognizing several items. To lead off March, it's music month in our school, and the district is grateful to have such dedicated music, band, and choir teachers. The district has a rich tradition of strong fine arts programming, and much of this is due to our teaching staff. Thank you for your daily efforts! Additionally, March is Youth Art Month, and, as in previous years, the district has dedicated art teachers who engage our students to bring out their creative abilities. It’s great to see our students’ artwork on display at our schools regularly.
NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK
Finally, the week of March 2-6 is National School Breakfast Week. Each elementary school will host a bountiful breakfast buffet to celebrate.
· Spring Hill Elementary on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, with ticket presales before school on March 2 & 3rd.
· Lake Delton on Friday, March 6, 2026.
The School District of Wisconsin Dells has really emphasized the importance of eating a healthy breakfast each morning. As many people may know, the district has partnered with a local nonprofit to ensure that ALL students can access a free breakfast each day. We thank you for your tremendous financial support! Additionally, please allow me to publicly thank our dedicated foodservice staff for providing healthy, nutritious meals to our students each day.
Finally, let me close out this newsletter article by saying thank you for the opportunity to serve our community’s children, for it is both our highest priority and privilege to do so!
Have a great month!
Respectfully submitted,
Terrance Slack, District Administrator
2024-25 Wisconsin DPI School and District Report Card