
As we come closer to the April 2nd Facilities Referendum, I will be providing a series of weekly articles that highlight specific projects that make up the referendum as a whole. All of these articles are meant to take a deeper dive into the rationale of the particular projects while also looking at associated costs and past projects of the district.
I want to start this series with providing residents with the larger financial picture of the district and the unique opportunity that we have regarding the ability to provide for stable taxes and still provide for needed facilities projects. I know this is a long article but putting all of the information into one spot is beneficial to see the big picture..
In 2016, area residents approved the referendum to construct the Ellsworth Elementary School. At that time it was stated that the largest tax impact of the project would be in the 2016-2017 school year due to the original debt for the middle school going off the books. Since then, residents have seen the school district's actual tax levy decline substantially until this year. To demonstrate this point, the 2016-2017 tax levy was $10,075,270. Through the years leading up to the 2022-2023 school year we saw the levy stay stable or decline to the point in which the levy for the 2022-2023 year was $9,206,056.This decline was due to some local factors but was also due to factors related to the state budget and COVID funding. At the same time, local property values increased by over $425 million causing the mill rates to drop substantially.
In the 2023-2024 school year we saw this trend change as our local tax levy increased to $10,072,317. This is basically back to the levy we had in the 2016-2017 school year as noted above. This was the direct result of the state budget that addressed many of the financial issues of districts like ours that were identified as low funded districts. We will still be at the state's minimum revenue available per student ($11,000) but this was an increase for our district from the $10,012 per student we were at which was one of the lowest in the state. In the short term, it raised local taxes. In the long term, it reduces the amounts of money needed through operational referendums for districts like us. It is a good thing in the long run but the short term impact was the increase we saw this past year. This had been highlighted in our public survey and conveyed to residents through our newsletters and previous superintendent articles so that residents were informed as we evaluated the referendum projects.
I know that all this information is a lot at one time but I feel it is also important to highlight the unique opportunity the district has at this time to shape its financial future. The projected tax impact of the projects is $79 per $100,000 in residential property value. As a comparison, the projected tax impact of the Ellsworth Elementary School in 2016 was $123 per $100,000. The projects being proposed are the result of our facility study and the public input taken from the community survey which narrowed down the projects. We have only a small amount of debt going off the books in the 2026-2027 school year so there is not an immediate ability to offset this cost.
The opportunity that the district is provided at this time is a longer range ability to address facility needs as debt goes off the books in order to provide for tax stability. The current project would be bonded for a 20 year period of time. The elementary school debt is retired in 2035. With this, the district would have the ability to once again address larger projects in 2035 as debt is retired and greatly reduce the tax impact at that time. This would then also be the opportunity in 2045 as the debt for the current projects would be retired.
A primary financial goal for school districts is to provide for stable taxes over time. The information I provided above provides a pathway to this goal while still providing for responsible facility project planning. There are of course many other factors that will impact budgets, facility needs, and taxes over time that cannot be predicted but what I have laid out is pretty concrete in nature and I hope assists in understanding the longer range financial picture.
Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy article. I promise the remaining articles will not be nearly as long! I just feel it is vital to get this information out to all residents. If there are any questions about this or more, please give me a call at 715-273-3900 or email me at cainb@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
Barry Cain
Ellsworth Community School District Superintendent


The Ellsworth Community School District has begun the search process for a new school district superintendent. The Board of Education and the District are grateful for the service of Superintendent Barry Cain who has announced his retirement at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. To ensure a thorough search, the Board of Education has enlisted the support of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.
Your input is crucial in identifying the qualities we should prioritize in our next superintendent. We invite every member of our community to participate in a brief survey designed for this purpose. Your thoughts and perspectives will play a role in shaping the future of our district.
📅 Survey Deadline: February 23, 2024
🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EllsworthComm2024
Let your voice be heard, and help us find a leader who will uphold the values and aspirations of the Ellsworth Community School District. Thank you for your continued support, and together, let's shape a bright future for our students!


We are soon entering our winter season of Parent-Teacher Conferences, a crucial opportunity for nurturing a strong partnership on behalf of your child's education.
Here are the conference dates and times:
ES: Thursday, February 22, and Thursday, February 29, 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
MS: Thursday, February 29, and Thursday, March 14, 4:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
HS: Monday, February 26, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Parent-teacher conferences serve as a vital bridge between home and school. They allow you to meet with your child's teachers, discuss progress, strengths, and areas for support, collaborate on academic goals, and learn about the upcoming curriculum. Your presence is not just an update on academic performance but most importantly, a collaborative time for you to share your needs and ask questions.
Your child's education is a shared responsibility, and the Parent-Teacher Conference is a crucial step in building a strong foundation for that partnership. We look forward to welcoming you to discuss your child's progress, goals, dreams, and celebrations! Your attendance demonstrates a commitment to the power of partnerships - and Ellsworth Community Schools are committed to family and community involvement. Together, we can create opportunities for your child to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
Unfortunately, schedules do not always align. If our conference dates and times won't work for your family, please reach out to your child’s teacher so that this valuable connection can happen in another way (i.e., email, phone call, etc.).
Your active involvement is key to your child’s educational success, and we welcome your input.
Thank you for your continued support in making Ellsworth Community School District a place of excellence!
Sincerely,
Ellsworth Community School District


💜ECSD IS SEEKING SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS💜
The need for substitute teachers is at an all-time high!


👋 Exciting News! 📣 Start following Ellsworth Community School District on Instagram! 🏫📸 Let's stay connected and celebrate the amazing moments together!
🎉 Join us at: https://www.instagram.com/ellsworthcommunityschooldist/


EMS book fair is right around the corner!!!! Mark your calendars for February 12th-16th.
Parents can set up an eWallet for their students so they can purchase books without worrying about cash.
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/ellsworthmiddleschool


Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ticking crocodile, the fierce Brave Girls, a band of bungling pirates, and, of course, the villainous Captain Hook.
Starring 8th graders Knox Hines as Peter Pan, Kensie Matzek as Wendy, Noah Windsor as Captain Hook, and MANY more from all grades and talents.
This year, we will be pre-selling tickets, and no longer doing open seating due to the wonderful turnouts of the previous two years shows.
Tickets are on sale now!
Use the QR code, or go to https://gofan.co/app/school/WI19699 to purchase tickets! Cash/check sales will be available at the EMS office by ADULTS only.
Performance dates are February 22-24 at 7:00 pm, and February 25th at 2:00 pm at EHS Cafetorium!
We can’t wait to see you there!


This week is National School Counseling Week 2024!!!! Let's celebrate the incredible efforts and unique contributions of our phenomenal school counselors! 🌟
👥 School counselors help students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; work in partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
🌈 Let's take a moment to express our gratitude to the amazing counselors we have here at ECSD! 🤗 Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and unwavering support. Your influence goes beyond the classroom, and we're truly fortunate to have such inspiring professionals shaping the future of our students. 🌟
💜💜Spread the love, share your stories, and let's make this National School Counseling Week a memorable one! 💜💜
Thank you to Ms. Wiskow & Mr. Smith at the high school, Mrs. Kyllo & Mrs. Fiala at the middle school, and Mrs. Groh, Mrs. Zimmer, & Mrs. Bennett-Deiss at EES.



Please join the Farmer Angel Network of Western Wisconsin, The Webster Family, and the Ellsworth FFA & FFA Alumni for an afternoon of lunch and sharing about mental health within agriculture.
More details can be found on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/6dlsg7CRb


Positive Parenting Stepping Stones: Virtual Seminars for Parents with Children (0-12) with Disabilities.
Contact instructor with any questions: Hannah White-McGinn, hannah.whitemcginn@wisc.edu or 715-629-0476
SIGN UP HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVA4OQtkcIpuDxNtQJFKpVo5iPMBISmYiP6EHzQiSlPiQwpA/viewform


The registration deadline for these community education classes is fast approaching. To register for these classes please fill out the form on our community education website. https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/community-education






GrandParent Guardians Support Group
Join us as we navigate the journey of grandparent guardianship together—finding strength, understanding, and a sense of belonging in the company of those who truly comprehend the joys and challenges unique to the grandparent guardian role.
For more information or to sign up please email Melinda, Savannah, or Olivia
casperm@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
waynes@ellsworth.k12.wi.us
carlsono@ellsworth.k12.wi.us


💜ECSD IS SEEKING SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS💜
The need for substitute teachers is at an all-time high!


Congratulations to the Middle School Forensic team who all scored the highest achievement of Excellence at their Invitational meet this past Thursday !


EMS January students of the month for perseverance.


Residents of the Ellsworth Community School District recently received a mailing from the district with introductory information about our upcoming April 2, 2024 Facilities Referendum. Over the course of the coming weeks there will be many more communications that provide residents much more information about the middle school and high school projects being addressed.
Upcoming planned communications included videos, mailings, social media posts, and attendance at many school and community events to answer any questions residents may have. In addition, we have a referendum information page up and running on our school district website at www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us. We encourage residents to visit this page to see the latest information.
Over the coming weeks I will also be writing a number of short articles that individually address the various projects along with financial impacts and visioning for the district. I hope that these articles are beneficial for all residents to best understand the rationale related to these projects and our long term vision.
As always, our staff is always available to address any questions residents may have. I strongly encourage residents to connect with me by phone (715) 273-3900 or by email at cainb@ellsworth.k12.wi.us.
Lastly, we are also available for tours of our facilities so that residents can see the planned projects firsthand regardless of the size of the group. Just let us know and we can make it work for you!
Thanks and look for much more information to come!
Barry Cain
Superintendent


Mrs. Nyseth's class made and donated the tie blankets to Gregory's Gift of Hope in New Richmond.
https://www.ggohinc.com/







The February Lunch Menu is now available! Time is flying, and we can't believe how fast this school year is going.


❄️Explore, Learn, and Grow with Ellsworth Community Education this Winter! ❄️
Looking for enriching activities to fill your winter days? Look no further! Ellsworth Community Education is excited to announce a diverse range of classes tailored just for you!
🎨📖 Whether you're interested in unleashing your creativity, expanding your knowledge, or simply trying something new, we've got you covered.
🗓️ When: Classes are scheduled throughout the winter season, offering flexibility to fit into your busy schedule.
Ready to embark on a journey of discovery and personal development? 🚀 Explore the full list of classes and find the perfect fit for you on our website: https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/community-education
Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this winter a season of growth and fun! 🌟 Enroll today and join us in building a vibrant and engaged community.
Let's make this winter a time of learning, laughter, and new connections! ❄️📚






We're thrilled that 30 of our talented 8th-grade band & choir students were selected to participate in the SCVEMA District Honors Festival! 🎼🎤 This incredible opportunity has brought them together for lots of rehearsals, culminating in a spectacular concert last Saturday! 🎶🎉





