What has the district done since the April 2024 and November 2025 referendum?
Budget reductions totaling $1.75 million were made for the 2024-2025 school year.
Staffing:
Staff Reductions: 12 positions were eliminated:
- 1- Full-Time Music Teacher
- 1- Full-Time Tech Ed Teacher
- 1- Full-Time Counselor
- 1- Part-Time Music
- 1- Part-Time Art Teacher
- 1- Full-Time Instructional Math Coach
- 4- Full-Time Classroom Teachers
- 2- Full-Time Elementary Special Education Teachers
Staff Restructuring:
- Transitioning Special Education Paraprofessionals from Full-Time to Part-Time
- Consolidated Academic Intervention Coordinator and Talented and Gifted Coordinator Positions
Adjustments in Employee Salary & Benefits:
- Reduction in Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Funding Levels
- Transition to a Self-Funded Health Insurance Model
- Increase in Employee Healthcare Contributions
- Reduction in Paid In-Service Days
Operational Changes:
- Reduction in Department Budgets
- Deferring Maintenance Projects
- Policy Changes for Open Enrollment
- Increase in Fees for Co-curricular and District Facility use
- Increase in Class Sizes as a Result of Staffing Reductions
Were the reductions enough and what is being asked for?
Despite substantial budget cuts and operational changes, the Waterford Graded School District (WGSD) is still facing a budget shortfall and depleted fund balance.
- To balance the budget and replenish fund balance, we are asking for $3 million per year for the next four years.
- WGSD is facing a minimum deficit of $1.5 million and a cumulative deficit of $9.7 million over the next five years.
- The deficit may continue to grow due to increases in operational costs and lack of state funding.
-
The projected 12.53% fund balance is well below the district's 25% policy. Adequate reserves are crucial for schools to cover costs, avoid debt, and manage unexpected expenses.
- Voters will see the following question on the ballot on Tuesday, April 1, 2025:
Question: Shall the Waterford Graded School District Joint No. 1, Racine County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $3,000,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and ending with the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses?
What will happen if a Referendum does not pass?
While WGSD prioritized maintaining program offerings, we have reached a point where significant program reductions are unavoidable if a referendum does not pass.
All programming not required by state and federal law will be considered for elimination.
Below is a list of all potential cuts or reductions related to staffing, course offerings, and operations:
Course Offerings & Staffing
- Reduced music, art, & physical education minutes
- 5th/6th-grade band program reduction/cut
- Music, art, & physical education teacher reductions
- Adjustments to special education programming
- Family and Consumer Science (FACS) & FAB Lab reduction/cut
- World Language K-6 reduction/cut
- 4K related arts eliminated
- Class sizes near or at maximum
- School counselor reduction/cut
- Secretary 2 positions (health room attendant) reduced to part-time
- Library aide reductions/cuts
- District support/admin staff cuts
- Building administration cuts
Scheduling & Operations:
- Late start schedule for students
- Eliminate sports and clubs
- Middle school schedule changes
- Additional reduction in contract days
- Summer school reduction/cut
- Additional reduction to staff benefits
Is consolidation a possible solution?
To achieve consolidation:
- The four K-8 school boards (Drought, North Cape, Washington-Caldwell, and Waterford Graded) would convene and agree to place a consolidation referendum question on a future ballot.
- If, at a minimum, three out of the four communities would approve, the districts could then consolidate.
While consolidation is frequently brought up during referendum discussions, it is improbable due to the broad opposition to such a measure. This is evident in the recent stance taken by Drought (Norway J7), which formally opposed consolidating with the Waterford Area School Districts. Furthermore, the school boards in the surrounding districts have shown no interest in consolidation, solidifying the improbability of such a merger. It is also important to note that even if the Waterford Graded School District and the Waterford Union High School District wished to consolidate, they would be unable to do so alone; any consolidation effort would necessitate the involvement of all surrounding districts. If you want to learn more about consolidation, the Department of Public Instruction has a very informative webpage on the process and requirements.
$25 a year for a $100,000 of Property Value
(Example: a $300,000 house would be an increase of $75 per year)
While other factors can influence the mill rate, we project a decrease in the remaining years after an initial increase in 2025.
Learn More
- Understanding School Funding 3:40 minute video
- The State of School Finance in Wisconsin: 2024 Edition WASBO
- Analysis of WI Referendum. A recent analysis by Forward Analytics shows that Wisconsin's reliance on referendums to fund K-12 education is increasing. The report highlights school districts' challenges, especially smaller ones with declining enrollment, due to revenue limits.
State Funding Limitations
In Wisconsin, all school districts operate under a state-imposed revenue limit created by the state budget. This limit caps the amount of money a district can receive through state aid and local property taxes. The funding approved by the state legislature has not kept pace with increasing costs and inflation over the past few years, presenting significant challenges to adequately support programs and services offered by our District.
Rising Operational Costs
Like many school districts across the state, we are facing significant financial challenges due to rising costs in key areas like transportation, utilities, staffing, health insurance, and other district resources. In the current economic climate, the cost of running a school district has outpaced traditional funding sources.
Elimination of ESSER/COVID Funds
The federal government provided schools with one-time ESSER funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Districts were required to use these funds for ongoing costs. They are now expiring and will create additional and ongoing structural budget deficits.
Referendum Basics
- Why do school districts need to go to a referendum?
- What is the difference between a capital and an operating referendum?
- What is the difference between a recurring and a non-recurring referendum?
- What districts have asked an operational referendum question recently?
- When can Wisconsin school districts place a referendum on a ballot?
Why do school districts need to go to a referendum?
What is the difference between a capital and an operating referendum?
What is the difference between a recurring and a non-recurring referendum?
What districts have asked an operational referendum question recently?
When can Wisconsin school districts place a referendum on a ballot?
Operational Referendum Information
Supporting Financial Information
- If the referendum is approved, how much revenue will it generate for the district?
- If the referendum does not pass, will my taxes decrease?
- Why can't the school district use its fund balance to make up the deficit?
- How does the referendum affect the mill rate / property taxes?
- What has the district done to live within the confines of the revenue limit and manage financial challenges?
If the referendum is approved, how much revenue will it generate for the district?
If the referendum does not pass, will my taxes decrease?
Why can't the school district use its fund balance to make up the deficit?
How does the referendum affect the mill rate / property taxes?
What has the district done to live within the confines of the revenue limit and manage financial challenges?
Additional Questions
Events
February 10 - WGSD Board meeting @ 6pm
February 10 - Town of Waterford @ 5:30pm
February 13- Referendum at Woodfield Bingo Night
February 17- Referendum Drop-In @ 5:30pm-6:30pm Crossover Cantina
March 3- WGSD Board meeting @ 6pm Presentation Update
March 5- Tony at McDonald's Waterford at 7am-9am
March 10 Events
- Presentation at Village of Wtfd meeting - 6pm;
- Presentation at Town of Norway meeting - 6:30pm
- Presentation at Town of Dover Board meeting - 6:30pm
- Presentation at Village of Rochester meeting - 7pm
March 25- Drop-In at the Cotton Exchange 5pm-7pm
March 27- Office Drop-in at the District Office 6am-8am and speak with Tony
If these dates and/or times do not work for you, please email Lisa Mutter (mutter@waterford.k12.wi.us) to schedule a time to speak with a district representative to learn more.