On April 7, 2026, Ellsworth Community School District voters will be asked to consider a non-recurring operational referendum. This referendum would provide funding authority to support the day-to-day operation of district schools as current funding sources expire and operating costs continue to increase. This referendum is not for new buildings or facility expansion. It focuses on maintaining existing programs, services, and operations that support student learning and school function.

OFFICIAL REFERENDUM QUESTION:

Shall the Ellsworth Community School District, Pierce County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,185,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and ending with the 2029-2030 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of maintaining educational programming, transportation, technology, and facilities?

HELPFUL LINKS

Information for Absentee Voting
Voting Information
Local Schools Mill Rate Compare
Superintendent Column
Graphic titled “Total Proposed Referendum” showing a total of $2,185,000. The amount is broken into two parts: $1,300,000 to replace the existing, expiring operating referendum, and $885,000 as an additional amount needed to address rising costs.

IS THIS A NEW TAX?

This referendum would replace the District’s current $1.3 million non-recurring operational levy, which expires at the end of the 2025–26 school year. The proposed levy includes the existing $1.3 million and adds $885,000 to reflect increased operating costs, for a total of $2.185 million.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY PROPERTY TAXES?

While the proposed amount is higher than the tax levy that is expiring, it reflects today’s operating costs. The District recognizes that any increase matters and has worked to balance financial needs with community input.

Bar chart titled “Estimated Annual Tax Impact by Home Value.” The chart shows estimated annual and monthly tax costs for different home values. For a $100,000 home, the cost is $92 annually or $7.67 per month. For $150,000, $138 annually or $11.50 per month. For $200,000, $184 annually or $15.33 per month. For $250,000, $230 annually or $19.17 per month. For $300,000, $273 annually or $23.00 per month. Bars are shown in purple with home values labeled along the bottom and annual cost in dollars on the vertical axis.

WHAT STEPS HAS THE DISTRICT TAKEN TO CONTROL COSTS?

The District has taken multiple steps to operate efficiently, including:

  • Staff attrition, where possible

  • Energy-saving projects

  • Refinancing debt

  • Renegotiating vendor contracts

  • Seeking sponsorships and partnerships

  • Extending the useful life of equipment, when appropriate

WHAT DO OPERATIONAL FUNDS SUPPORT?

Operational referendum funds support essential, everyday school needs, including:

  • Curriculum and instructional materials

  • Staffing and student support services

  • Transportation and the district bus fleet

  • Technology and classroom tools

  • Maintenance of existing school facilities

  • Utilities, insurance, and other operating costs

Operational levy amounts remain static, while operating expenses increase over time.

WHY SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEED OPERATING REFERENDUMS?

  • State funding has not kept pace with inflation

  • School costs rise faster than allowable revenue

  • Districts have limited funding sources

  • Local referendums provide needed operating authority

ELLSWORTH IS NOT ALONE

Since 2015, 70% (or 294 of 421) Wisconsin districts have conducted operational referendums.

Purple circular graphic displaying “70%” in the center, representing seventy percent.

OPERATING REFERENDUMS NEARBY

Elmwood Recurring $900,000 Annually

Somerset Recurring $1M Annually

Amery Recurring $1.9M Annually

Prescott Multiple Recurring Over $2.66M

River Falls Recurring $1M/$2M/$3M; locking in at $3M Annually

St Croix Central Non-recurring average of $472,500 for 10 Years

Plum City Non-recurring $1.975M for 4 years

Hudson Recurring $5M for 6 years

If the Referendum Is APPROVED

The referendum would allow the District to continue supporting most current programs and services, manage rising costs, and maintain existing facilities responsibly.

Circular Ellsworth Community School District logo in purple, white, and black featuring a roaring panther head at the top. The outer ring reads “Ellsworth Community School District.” In the center, large purple text says “VOTE” with a black checkmark inside the letter O, and black text below reads “April 7.”

If the Referendum Is NOT APPROVED

The District would need to begin making deeper budget reductions beyond those considered. While fund balance could help temporarily, it would not prevent the need for cuts to staffing, programs, or services over time.

Understanding School Funding in Wisconsin

HOW SCHOOL FUNDING WORKS IN WISCONSIN

Wisconsin school districts operate under a state revenue limit formula, which combines state aid and local tax authority, and caps the amount of revenue available to school districts.

For more than three decades, state funding increases have lagged inflation, creating a growing gap between allowable revenue and the true cost of operating schools. As a result, local operational referendums have become common across WI.