Referendum 2026

Operating Referendum 2026

The Question:

Shall the School District of Siren, Burnett County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,800,000 per year for three years beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and ending with the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational expense, including to maintain educational and elective programming at Siren Schools.  Yes-No

What the Question is Asking:

It is asking for an additional $1,800,000 per year for the next 3 years to be used on operating and maintaining the building sustaining current programs and other operational expenses.  The tax increase would be $10.25 a month, or $123.00 a year on a $100,000 property. 

HOW WE HAVE ALREADY REDUCED SPENDING IN 2025?

· Salaries (-$515,887) 7 FTE decrease and 5 salaries reduced

· Benefits (-$177,977) Health Insurance and lower WRS & FICA

· Services and Supplies (-$181,000) ALC, Legal Expenses, Professional Development/Employee Travel, Maintenance and  Technology

TOTAL REDUCTION of $874,864.00

Even with the spending reductions we have had to spend down our fund balance due to revenue changes such as, declining enrollment, less state aid and unpredictable increases on operating costs.

MYTH vs FACT:  School Funding and Property Taxes

Myth: If a school district dissolves or consolidates, residents will no longer have to pay school taxes.
Fact: Residents will continue to pay school taxes to the district where students attend school.

Myth:  School districts raised property taxes because they chose to spend more than inflation.
Fact:  School districts can only raise revenue within state-imposed revenue limits. To spend more than those limits requires voter approval via operating referendum.  The state authorized a per-pupil-revenue-limit increase that was less than inflation but did not provide the state aid necessary to fund it, shifting costs to property taxpayers.

Myth:  Referenda are a sign of poor local fiscal management.
Fact:  Referenda are often the only remaining tool districts have to address structural gaps created when state funding does not keep pace with mandated costs and authorized spending authority.  When schools are only allowed spending increases that fall below the amount necessary to keep pace with inflation, they must either cut programs and services for students or seek referendum approval. Oftentimes, they resort to both.

Myth:  This is a local problem.
Fact:  This is a statewide policy decision with statewide consequences.  Districts across Wisconsin-urban, suburban and rural-are experiencing the same pressures because the revenue limits apply uniformly and the school aid formula applies to all school districts.  Almost three quarters of Wisconsin’s school districts will receive less general aid than they did in the prior year. And the number of districts that lost so much aid they qualified for stop-gap hold harmless funding went up by nearly 30% compared to the previous year.

For More Information Contact:
Dr. Kevin Shetler, Siren Schools Superintendent at: 
kshetler@siren.k12.wi.us
or call 715-349-7392