November 3 Operational Referendum
Tomorrow River School District is asking voters to consider renewing its operational referendum to help provide stable funding for the ongoing costs of educating our students. Over the last 20 years, operational referendum funding has been an important part of the district’s financial planning, helping support salaries, instructional materials, technology, building maintenance, and other essential needs. As a low-revenue district, Tomorrow River continues to face financial challenges because state revenue limits and school funding have not kept pace with the rising costs of providing a quality education.
The November 3 referendum would help our district renew its operational funding, support safe and effective learning environments, and help students soar by maintaining the programs, services, and opportunities they need to succeed.
The Need
If approved, these funds would help our district provide current curriculum and instructional materials, address aging technology infrastructure, enhance schoolsafety and security, address planned building maintenance, and manage inflationary operating costs such as utilities, supplies, transportation, staffing, and day-to-day school operations.
A fall referendum allows the district to make timely and thoughtful decisions about future budgets, programs, and services.
The Investment
If approved, the proposed operational referendum renewal is estimated to have a modest tax impact, with the district’s mill rate projected to remain near current levels—$7.93 in year one, $7.82 in year two, and $7.78 in year three, compared to the current rate of $7.85. For a home valued at $300,000, the estimated increase would be $240 a year on a $300,000 home.
.
The Reality
Under Wisconsin's current school funding system, the state does not provide enough funding to cover the full cost of operating our schools.
State law also limits how much school districts can raise through local property taxes for day-to-day operations. When the cost of providing education increases faster than the revenue allowed under those limits, districts must make difficult choices.
An operational referendum gives local voters the opportunity to decide whether the district should be allowed to raise additional local revenue to support its schools.
LEARN WHY 85% OF ALL WISCONSIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE NEEDED OPERATING REFERENDUMS
TO ADDRESS FUNDING SHORTAGES :