In person voting is taking place on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Shall the School District of Shiocton, Outagamie County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,525,000 in 2021-2022, by $1,700,000 in 2022-2023, and by $1,875,000 for the 2023-2024 school year, for non-recurring purposes, to finance ongoing operational expenses necessary to maintain current educational programs of the district?

Tuesday, January 12th @ 6:30PM - Shiocton School* Thursday, January 21st @ 6:30PM - Town of Ellington Hall Tuesday, January 26th @ 6:30PM - Town of Maine Hall Tuesday, February 2nd @ 6:30PM - Virtual** Wednesday, February 10th @ 6:30PM - Shiocton School* ​ ​ ​ * Meeting will be held in the cafeteria but may be moved to the HS gym depending upon the number of attendees ​ ** Meeting will be hosted via ZOOM; Watch for more information in late January on how to access this meeting

The need for continued community support in the form of a referendum is needed because State and Federal aid, along with the general taxes allocated to our District do not meet the continuing increased costs associated with providing a total educational experience, one complete with academic, co-curricular, and athletic opportunities across the grades.

The referendum will ask voters to approve the District’s ability to exceed the revenue limit by $5,100,000 over the next three years. The specific breakdown of that amount includes: Shall the School District of Shiocton, Outagamie County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,525,000 in 2021-2022, by $1,700,000 in 2022-2023, and by $1,875,000 for the 2023-2024 school year, for non-recurring purposes, to finance ongoing operational expenses necessary to maintain current educational programs of the district?

The projected figures were determined through a study of anticipated revenues and expenditures. The revenues include per pupil categorical aids and open enrollment funding based upon a conservative estimate of district student enrollment and open enrollments in/out, as well as estimated property valuation. The expenditures are based upon anticipated fixed costs including operational costs such as salaries, supplies, equipment, curriculum, and the like, as well as costs associated with building, grounds, and program needs. Rather than reduce staffing and program opportunities that are currently offered to students, we are asking voters to continue to support or efforts to provide a total educational experience for our community members from the youngest of learners in the Shiocton Child Care Center through school-age students to the adults.

The Board is sensitive to its fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of the school community and does not want to extend a commitment beyond three years. Too, with the many factors influencing funding such as the State budget, the new President and federal administration, as well as the economic challenges stemming from the coronavirus, the Board felt we could be most accurate with a three-year projection.

While the mill rate will grow over this year’s $9.95, the rate in FY2024 will only be $0.02 more than in FY2020, which was $10.23. As a result, taxes on a $150,000 home will be less than $5 more in FY2024 than in FY2020. The projections for the three years with approval of the referendum will be: 2021-2022 $10.09/$1,000 2022-2023 $10.13/$1,000 2023-2024 $10.25/$1,000

Based on the valuation of a $150,000 home, the cost would be: Looking at property valued as high as $300,000, the tax cost would grow just $6 from FY2020 to FY 2024, from $3,069 to $3,075. Over a four-year span, last year to three years from now, a property owner will see only a $3.00 increase on a $150,000 property and just a $6.00 increase on a $300,000 property.

The enrollment for the District has leveled out, right around 720 each year. On a positive note, the District saw several new student open enroll into our district this fall. Much of this increase can be attributed to the fact that we provided in-person instruction for all grades, every day while observing best practices regarding the health and safety of our staff and student during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All school districts, including ours, have a Fund Balance Account. This account is necessary so as to provide working capital to cover expenditures between intermittent payments from state and local tax and funding authorities. The recommended percentage in the Fund Balances is around 25%. As the District’s Fund Balance is currently in the low 30’s, the Board chose to supplement the requested referendum funds with dollars from the Fund each year.

The Board did not want to ask for a commitment beyond three years as it is difficult to anticipate changes that could occur. However, it is possible that there could be a need to conduct another referendum if State, Federal, and allocated taxes are not a sufficient source of revenue so as to meet the increasing expenses.

The Board is confident that the school community will support this request for financial support so that we may continue to provide a total educational experience for all of our learners, as well as the adults of the community who benefit from the use of the fitness center and school facilities.

Information regarding the referendum, including the PowerPoint presentation from the informational meetings will be (is) available online at www.shiocton.k12.wi.us . Additionally, feel free to reach out to any of the school board members: Brad Ritchie, Dave Gomm, Jeremie Birch, Stacey Warning, Aaron Pluger, Mindy Hofacker, or Mike Bellin. Too, feel free to contact Nichole Schweitzer, District Admnistrator.