What's the Problem

All Wisconsin school districts operate within revenue limits which cap the amount of revenue each district can receive each year from state aid and property taxes.  There are three key variables in the revenue limit calculation — enrollment, property values, and state aid. Each district is unique in these variables and therefore the revenue limit formula is different for each district.

Nekoosa School District has received $1,072,000 less revenue since 2008.

How does this affect Nekoosa schools?
State aid and local revenues are not keeping pace with costs to maintain the current educational program and to address emerging student needs. The projected operating shortfall is $2M annually. Additionally, athletic facilities need attention.

What has been Done?

Since 2017, the District has:
• Reduced $365,000 in expenses.
• Continually examined its operations to find efficiencies such as employee benefits, bus routes, and food service.
• Used fund balance to avoid cutting programs.
• Increased competitiveness of District salaries.
• Focused on continuous improvement for student learning.

Since Spring 2019, the Board has been working with the administration to analyze potential budget short falls. Additionally, the Board recognized that there is limited funding available to help schools improve.

Next Steps: Survey and Public Input
To help determine the priorities of the community, the Board of Education approved a community-wide survey to collect input. Results of the survey will be available in December and will help guide the Board’s recommendation.  If a referendum is pursued, a decision must be made in January for an April 2020 referendum.

Referendum

What is a school district referendum?
School referenda (for operations or to address debt) are resolutions placed on the ballot by a Board of Education asking voters to approve that the Board may exceed revenue limits. 

Needs that could be supported through an operating referendum include:
• Maintaining/improving current program and services.
• Adding student services staff to help struggling students.
• Adding one teacher and upgrading equipment in the technical education (shop) area.
• Adding one teacher (math) and one teacher (language arts) to help grade K-5 students who are not meeting grade level targets.
• Maintaining and growing the Wisconsin Individualized Selected Education Virtual School to increase enrollment (in 2019 the academy nearly met maximum enrollment.)

Needs that could be addressed with a capital referendum include:
• Athletic field repairs and renovations (view video).

*Per $100,000 of property value

Capital Improvement - Athletic Project

Current and Long-term Needs:
• Safety
     ° Track is unusable
• Maintenance, upkeep, improvements
     ° Softball fields need renovation;
     ° Renovation for multi-use athletic fields, practice fields for all teams;
     ° If a complex were approved, the complete project would include a secure, fenced facility, accessible road between middle and high school, accessible walkways

Benefits of an Improved Athletic Complex:
• Increased opportunities for student activities, youth sports, extracurricular activities.
• Improves fields for all teams.
• Increases safety of outdoor activities for students and student athletes.
• Creates a destination-worthy athletic facility serving the communities of the Nekoosa School District.

Scope and Costs:
• Track and field $1.8 M 400 meter running track, field events, fencing and walkways
• Football/Soccer $1.4 M Renovated multi-use athletic field and stadium
• Renovated Softball Fields $420,000
• Practice Fields $550,000
• Artificial Turf $900,000
• Access Road between middle and high schools $170,000

Next Steps

No decisions have been made on what path the Board of Education will take to address these needs.  The Board initiated a community-wide survey to collect input about the priorities of the citizens for their schools.  It is expected that they will reach a decision in December, and if a referendum is proposed to the public, it may occur as soon as this spring.