WisconsinDellsreferendum.org

Addressing Critical Needs in Wisconsin Dells Schools

OPERATIONAL REFERENDUM: APRIL 7, 2026

Our community takes pride in the quality of our schools and has long celebrated the achievements of our students. However, the School District of Wisconsin Dells is one of many throughout Wisconsin that face financial challenges making it difficult to maintain the quality of education our students deserve.

These financial challenges can be attributed to factors beyond our district’s control, including inadequate state aid that has not kept pace with inflation for decades, rising expenses, unfunded mandates, and declining enrollment.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, residents of the SDWD will vote on a non-recurring operational referendum. If it’s approved by voters, our district will have the authority to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit by $2.4 million through the conclusion of the 2028-29 school year.

An approved referendum will result in an estimated mill rate of $6.10 in fall 2026, as compared to a 2025 mill rate of $6.11. This is based on an estimate of property values increasing by 4% in 2026.

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Challenges From the State Funding Formula

School districts in Wisconsin are primarily funded by state aid and local property taxes, but districts do not control the amount of financial support they receive from the state. Districts operate under a revenue limit system established more than 30 years ago that restricts the amount of money each can receive 

However, our district’s revenue has decreased faster than our expenses. If state aid had kept pace with inflation since 2009, districts like ours would now receive about $3,500 more per student each year. In 2025-26, $357.5 million was reduced from general public school aid for private school vouchers. This change led to more than 70% of public school districts statewide seeing a reduction in aid.

The revenue limit for SDWD is also impacted by enrollment, which has declined through the years and resulted in less money for operations.

The needs of our students have continued to increase in the areas of special education and mental health, but we receive insufficient financial support to cover the expenses of state and federally mandated services.

 

A Record of Fiscal Responsibility

The Board of Education and administration have reduced costs and have a track record of sound financial management. 

In planning for the 2025-26 school year the district made just shy of $1.3 million in budget reductions.  

• $386,024 Elementary staff reductions.
• $46,874 Reduction in support staff positions.
• $29,000 Restructuring of the Transportation Department.
• $150,000 Purchase of only one bus.
• $28,864 Building level budget reductions. 
• $62,026 Supervisor level reductions.
• $579,695 Restructured/modified health plan benefits.

SDWD’s mill rate has fallen more than 25% since Fiscal Year 2020. Among the difficult budget decisions made have been the closure of Lake Delton Elementary School at the end of this school year, which will provide nearly $380,000 in savings.

Despite these measures, we face projected annual budget deficits averaging more than $2.4 million through the 2028-29 school year. An operational referendum is the only option to prevent additional cuts to programs and opportunities for students.

With an approved referendum on April 7, additional funding would allow SDWD to:

• Avoid significant teacher and staff reductions
• Maintain class sizes and provide more individual attention for students
• Continue offering robust academic programming and extracurricular activities
• Update computers and technology
• Address maintenance needs in our schools
• Maintain an adequate general fund balance

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the proposed solution to SDWD’s budget challenges?

On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, our community will vote on a non-recurring operational referendum question for the School District of Wisconsin Dells. If this measure is approved by at least 50% of voters, the district will be able to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit by $2.4 million per year for three years.

We would use these funds to:

• Avoid significant teacher and staff reductions
• Maintain class sizes and provide more individual attention for students
• Continue offering robust academic programming and extracurricular activities
• Update computers and technology
• Address maintenance needs in our schools
• Maintain an adequate general fund balance

What would happen if the operational referendum is not approved?

If the operational referendum is not approved, the Board of Education and administration will be forced to consider reducing programs and services for students, increasing class sizes, limiting or eliminating some extracurricular activities, delaying maintenance projects, and reducing staff.

Based on state funding formulas, an operational referendum is the only option to prevent additional cuts to programming and opportunities for students.

How would an approved operational referendum affect property taxes?

An approved referendum would result in an estimated mill rate of $6.10 in fall 2026, as compared to a 2025 mill rate of $6.11. This is based on the estimate of property values increasing by 4% in 2026.

Since Fiscal Year 2020, the district’s mill rate has fallen more than 24%, from $8.18 per $1,000 of estimated fair market property value to $6.11 in the current fiscal year. More information is available at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website, at https://sfs.dpi.wi.gov/sfsdw.

When would the operational referendum expire?

An approved operational referendum would remain in place until the end of the 2028-29 school year.

Has the district taken steps to reduce spending?

Yes. The decision was made last year to close Lake Delton Elementary School at the end of the current school year. This difficult decision will provide nearly $380,000 in savings.

The board also respects the needs of the district’s property taxpayers and balances those needs with the needs of our students. SDWD’s mill rate has fallen more than 25% since Fiscal Year 2020, to $6.10 per $1,000 of property value.

Are operational referendums common in Wisconsin?

Approximately 88% of school districts have attempted an operational referendum to date. Over the past decade, more than half of the school districts in Wisconsin have received approval from voters through successful operational referendums to exceed their revenue limits.

When is election day?

Election day is Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. More information is available at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us.

Where can I cast my ballot on election day? 

District residents can find their polling location for Tuesday, April 7, by searching with their home address.

Can I vote absentee in this election?

Yes, voters may request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason. However, you must be registered before you can request an absentee ballot. 

If you are registered, you can request an absentee ballot by visiting https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee. Note that you must provide a photo ID with your absentee ballot request.

When is the deadline to register to vote?

Eligible voters can register up to election day, and can even register at the polls. 

The deadline to register by mail or online is March 18, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you can still register in person at your municipal clerk’s office until 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2026, or at your polling place on Election Day.

To learn more about registering to vote, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/register-To-Vote. 

What is the exact question that will appear on the ballot? 

Voters will see the following question on their ballots on Tuesday, April 7, 2026: 

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Wisconsin Dells, Sauk, Adams, Columbia, Juneau and Marquette Counties, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,400,000 per year beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and ending with the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of maintaining current elementary, middle and high school class sizes, technology equipment, existing career and technical education programming, along with operational costs associated with all school buildings.