Superintendent Article
October 27th, 2022
The school district property tax levy was established by the Ellsworth Community School District Board of Education at a special meeting on October 24th. As seen in recent years, the school district tax rates will once again fall this year.
The school property tax levy for the 2022-2023 school year will be $9,206,056. This is a decrease of 1.16% from the previous school year’s levy of $9,313,932.
Residents will also see a reduction in the mill rate which will now be $7.10 per $1,000 of residential property value. This is down from $8.06 last year and is the lowest mill rate residents have seen according to Department of Public Instruction records dating back to 1984. To put things in perspective, this year’s tax levy is $98,940 more than the tax levy for the 2015-2016 school year while property values in the district have increased by over $450 million in that same time period to nearly $1.3 billion. This is also prior to the Ellsworth Elementary School project being approved by residents.
There are always a number of factors that drive local school property tax rates. Here are some key factors in making up the current tax levy and recent trends.
Property values increased by over 12% this past year. Although below the state average of 14%, this is a substantial increase.
The voters of the district approved the $1.3 million Operational Referendum this past April. This was an increase from the previous $1 million Operational Referendum but still allowed for the local property tax levy to decrease as predicted in the referendum modeling.
State Equalized Aid, the primary state aid to schools, was increased in the current state biennial budget that ends with this school year. It is important to note that this provides for lower property taxes but does not provide school districts with larger revenues with which to operate.
The current state biennial budget did not provide for increased per pupil aid or revenue limit increases. With the increase in equalized aid and no increases in these areas the local property taxes tend to decrease.
Actual impacts of the levy will vary in each township and village based on actual property value changes with each entity but overall, it is always good to be able to reduce tax levies at the local level.
Over the course of this school year we will be closely monitoring the funding discussions at the state level as we move away from the availability of ESSER dollars to fund projects and programs in school districts. The decisions made at the state level will greatly affect the funding of our operations and local taxation rates as we move into the next biennial budget.
Are you ready for some football?!?
Come out and support your Panthers this Friday, 10/28 at 7 pm as the face-off against St. Croix Central in the second round of the WIAA Playoffs.
REMINDER: WIAA rules set the $6 entry fee for all fans over the age of 6. No passes are allowed.
The following items have been in the middle school lost and found for quite some time now. If they are yours please contact Jenny or Kim at the middle school office at 715-273-3908 to claim.
Attention Seniors and Senior Parents!!
Senior photos for the Yearbook can be emailed to hsyearbook@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
Photos must be turned in prior to October 30th, 2022. If your senior isn't having senior pictures done please contact Mrs. Campuzano so she can make other arrangements to have a photo taken of your senior for the yearbook.
It's that time of year and we are looking for sponsors for our ECSD Gift Box Program. If you and your family, school club, church or an organization you are part of are willing to be a sponsor please return a sponsorship form.
We already have 25 plus families who have applied, and we usually serve 70-80 families.
More details can be found on our website.
https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/gift-box-program
National Principals Month honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of our students. Join us as we celebrate all our principals throughout October.
The HIgh School Music Department is so happy to announce and congratulate the following students who auditioned and were accepted into the prestigious WSMA WI State Honors Choirs and Band. Members of the Honors Treble Choir are Macy Gutting, Betsy Foster, Maleah Petersen, Mya Petersen, and RaeAnna Smith. Members of the Honors Mixed Choir are Joy Turvaville and Lander Levers. The Member of the Honors Band is Elizabeth Paparelli.
This year, more than 1,400 students auditioned for the 428 positions in the five honors performing ensembles. It is an esteemed honor to be chosen as one of Wisconsin’s finest high school musicians. The WSMA State Honors Music Project is nationally recognized as one of the finest opportunities for young people. Students selected for the WSMA State Honors Music Project participate in an intensive four-day summer camp in June and perform in Madison in late October as part of the Wisconsin State Music Conference.
They will be leaving Wednesday morning for Madison. The concerts are Thursday evening.
National Principals Month honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of our students. Join us as we celebrate all our principals throughout October.
Congratulations to Alex Pazdernik and Max Bergner for advancing to the WIAA Cross Country State Tournament in Wisconsin Rapids next weekend. Alex Pazdernik was the Rice Lake DII Sectional Champion with a time of 16:17.8. Max Bergner placed fourth overall with a time of 17:00.3. Congrats to all our runners on a great race.
ECSD is currently hiring for a MS Assistant Musical Director.
The Assistant Director will assist in planning, programming, teaching, and management of the show and its participants with the occasional running of rehearsals in absence of the Director. AD should have musical AND/OR theatre experience, skills managing large groups of students, work well with others, communication skills, and organizational skills. AD should be encouraging and enthusiastic with a passion for creating and/or fostering the love of musical theatre in a supportive environment.
Rehearsal dates are M-Tu-Th 3:30-5:30 pm, and Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm. Occasional Friday rehearsals from 3:30-4:30. Show dates: February 24-25th at 7:00 pm & February 26th @ 2:00 pm.
Compensation is $1,058.00
All questions can be directed to Middle School Principal, Olin Morrison, by phone at 715-273-3908 or by email at morrisono@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
Find out more information on our employment website: https://wecan.waspa.org/Vacancy/159272
Intro to weightlifting
Ellsworth Middle School Weightlifting is in full swing! This program is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls and boys.
*No Cost
*When: M,T and Thur 5:30pm-7
Sat mornings 10-11:30
*Location: Ellsworth HS
* any questions please DM Billy
EES Puzzle Club
Where: The Community Center at Zion Covenant Church, 210 N. Beulah
Street in Ellsworth.
When: Drop off your gently used (still wearable) clothing from newborn
to adult sizes on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 between 5-7 p.m.
Volunteers will organize clothing based on size. Those that drop off items
will get a ticket to "shop" first on Saturday morning.
**Labeling bags REALLY helps us in our sorting process.
Ticket holder "shopping" from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 5th,
2022.
Free for all from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Items left will be donated to
local charity.
No fee or donation required to "shop.
Shoes and books are welcome. Please no furniture, toys, bedding, or
other household items.
Contact Dawn at dawnnajuliet@hotmail.com with any questions. Thank
you!
National Principals Month honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of our students. Join us as we celebrate all our principals throughout October.
Red Ribbon Week Dress Up Days
Kindergarten students reviewed all the letters and sounds of the alphabet. ABC Celebration!
6th grade Science Foundations students dissected owl pellets today.
National Principals Month honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of our students. Join us as we celebrate all our principals throughout October.
Dressing for Cold Weather
In the cold weather months, we utilize outdoor recess for our students (K-8) when possible and conditions permit. To ensure your child's comfort, please plan for outdoor recess when preparing or assisting with your child's clothing and outerwear selections each day.
Hats, coats, gloves and boots/proper footwear are encouraged to be sent to school with your child throughout the cold weather months. Students preferring to wear shorts year round should be dressed appropriately for the weather and consider long pants.
Please apply the above information during the cold weather months for when your child gets on and off the bus and waits for the bus each day.
The handy infographic below, shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via the National Weather Service, shows the layers and type of dress that should be worn during cold weather conditions.
The Fab Lab has created these cute build your own pumpkins. A fun craft for young or old.
Wood sheet is 18" and each pumpkin is 3-4".
https://checkout.square.site/buy/JL4PTJC4NBCHA5KZ6ZEOV7ZM
