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Vote April 1

The district has faced two failed referendums, and this marks the third time in a year that we will be asking the community to consider a referendum to address our critical funding shortfalls. Our resources are dwindling rapidly. We are currently borrowing funds to meet payroll obligations and have already implemented $1.75 million in budget reductions. Further cost-cutting measures will necessitate increased class sizes and program eliminations, directly impacting the quality of education with fewer options for our students. 

What we are hearing

tighten our belts

In response to our failed referendums and budget shortfalls, community members have stated they feel we need to tighten our belts. 

  • We reduced our budget by $1.75 million (10 full-time staff members, 2 part-time staff members, adjusted salary and benefits, transitioned positions from full-time to part-time).
  • We have eliminated one administrative position and continue to share a director of buildings and grounds as well as a special education director with surrounding districts.

 

understand the financial situation more

Members of our community feel that they do not understand the financial situation that WGSD is in.

  • The board approved a mill rate decrease from $5.43 in 2023-2024 to $5.32 for 2024-2025.
  • WGSD is forecasting a deficit of $1.5 million for the next school year and a cumulative deficit of $9.7 million over the next five years.
  • The deficit would continue to grow due to increases in operational costs and lack of state funding.
  • WGSD short-term borrowed for the first time in the district's history in order to cover operational costs and make payroll. The district is incurring interest costs as well.  
whats on the ballot

Members of our community do not understand what is being asked on the ballot.

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?

Myth
fact

The referendum is about adding new programs.

You just passed a referendum in February.

 

 

 

With declining enrollment, you do not need more money. 

 

 

Waterford Graded is a small district and does not need all these staff members. 

 

Redistricting and Realignment are tied to the referendum.

 

 

 

The fund balance is just a savings account.

The purpose of this referendum is to maintain programming and smaller class sizes while balancing the district budget and replenishing fund balance.

We extend our congratulations to Waterford Union High School on the successful passage of their capital referendum. Please note that the Waterford Graded School District (WGSD) is a separate district and will be asking voters to consider an operational referendum this April.

While many schools face declining enrollment, ours has remained steady. However, rising costs, limited state funding, and the end of COVID-related funds have created significant budget challenges. Even with substantial cuts, major shortfalls remain, making an operational referendum a key option to address these needs.

Waterford Graded School District is larger than 2/3 of school districts across Wisconsin. We provide instruction and support to just under 1,500 students every year. 

Redistricting and realignment are about being fiscally responsible and viable over the long-term due to our student population. A referendum is needed to maintain programming and smaller class sizes while balancing the district budget and replenishing fund balance.

Maintaining an adequate fund balance is essential to cover operations, avoid short-term borrowing, and manage planned or unexpected expenses. WGSD short-term borrowed for the first time in the district's history to cover operational costs and make payroll.  

Below is a list of potential cuts and elimination if a referendum does not pass. While the Waterford Graded School District has preserved its programming in recent budget cycles, further cuts will force program eliminations. Restoring these programs once cut is challenging, yet they are vital for helping students explore their interests and potential career paths.

  • Certified Classroom Teacher Positions (7-9 Full-Time Equivalency)
  • World Language K-6 Program and Positions Eliminated
  • Technology and Engineering Program and Position (Fab Lab) Eliminated
  • Family and Consumer Science Program and Position (FACS) Eliminated
  • School Counselor Position (1.0 Full-Time Equivalency)
  • Music/Band, Art, and Physical Education Positions (3.0 Full-Time Equivalency)
  • 4K Related Arts Programming (Art, Music, Physical Education) Eliminated
  • Co-curricular/Sports at all Grade Levels
  • Increase Class Sizes at all Grade Levels
  • Elementary Library Aide Positions (2.0 Full-Time Equivalency) Eliminated
  • District Office Support Position (0.25 Full-Time Equivalency)
  • School Secretary #2 Positions (Transition to Part-Time)
  • Additional Cuts to Employee Benefits 
  • Reduction of Paid Contract Days
  • Special Education Programming Restructured
  • Maintenance/Technology Projects Deferred
referendum does not pass
Post it note that says Did you know?

We maintain a minimal administrative footprint. We have one principal per building, one assistant principal at our largest building (Fox River Middle School, which does not have an SRO), one superintendent (required by law), and one director of student and staff services.

  • We share a buildings and grounds director with Waterford Union High School.
  • We share a special education director with Waterford Union High School, Washington Caldwell, and North Cape.
  • We do not have administrative positions in the following areas: curriculum, human resources, business services, and technology.
  • Our technology support is outsourced to a third-party company to reduce expenditures.
School Year Mill Rate School Tax Per $100,000 Equalized Value Impact/Change per $100,00 Equalized Value
2024-2025 $5.33 $533 ----
2025-2026 $5.58 $558 $25

The $25 a year for $100,000 is a one-time increase.  While other factors can influence the mill rate, we project a flat or decrease in the remaining years after an initial increase in 2025.

tax impact

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 have expired and created additional and ongoing structural budget deficits.

Referendum Basics

Operational Referendum Information

Supporting Financial Information

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

VISIT MyVote.wi.gov to:

Learn more

Events

February 10 - WGSD Board meeting @ 6pm

March 3- WGSD Board meeting @ 6pm Presentation Update 

March 5-  Tony at McDonald's Waterford at 6am-7:30am

March 5- Referendum Presentation at Waterford Public Library @5:30pm

March 10 Events

  • Presentation at Village of Waterford 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 12- Spring Engagement Night at Evergreen Question and Answer Table starting at 4:30pm

March 17- Informational Session at Fox River Middle School 5:00pm-6:00pm

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.