Referenda for the Lena and Gillett school districts fell short on Election Day on April 7 as efforts to exceed the state-mandated revenue limits failed.
Lena’s referendum fell short by only 14 votes, 354-340, while Gillett’s referendum failed by an almost 2:1 margin with a vote tally of 944-482.
Lena School District was asking for $6 million in additional funding over the next five years. In the first year, the district would need $1 million, which would grow $100,000 each year until the funding reached $1.4 million.
District officials said declining enrollment, reduction in state aid, more high-cost special education students and inflation were all factors that prompted the district to ask for more money in this operational referendum.
Gillett School District was asking for much more, as its fund balance has dwindled to almost nothing. Ranging from $2 million in the first year for the referendum to $4.3 million in the fifth year, the first two years would have been spent trying to bring teacher pay up to average. The tax rate was expected to go from $5.93 to $8.30 in 2027.
The district had originally indicated it would have to dissolve and become part of other nearby school districts if the referendum passed, but that statement from Superintendent Nathan Hanson was walked back as public meetings began in earnest.
With the Lena votes, there were more yes votes with the Town and village of Lena, with votes of 109-102 and 75-55, respectively. The largest gap against came the referendum from the Town of Stiles, with a vote tally of 76-55.
The Gillett referendum had no precincts where the majority was in favor. The Town of Gillett had the largest gap with a vote of 134 in favor and 281 against. The Town of Underhill also had a significant schism with a vote tally of 184-81. The city of Gillett had a closer tally of 237-162 against.
Hanson said the Gillett School Board would go back to the drawing board to figure out what to do next. Among things being considered are more cuts to staff and programs, but the board will also look at revising its operational numbers and present a different referendum for the November election, when voter turnout is higher.
Hanson noted that if a second referendum fails, the district will be looking at either consolidating with a neighboring district like Bonduel, Suring, Pulaski or Oconto Falls, or it might have to dissolve, and the homes in the district would be absorbed by those other districts in accordance with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
“The board is going to have to make some tough decisions over the next couple of months, but we are not giving up on our school district, so we hope our community won’t either,” Hanson said.
Lena School District Superintendent Ben Pytleski expressed disappointment in the results but also some optimism, commenting that the district cannot afford to fall into negativity. He said he respects the decision of the voters and that there is still a lot of work to do as the current school year comes to an end.
“While we will be making some important decisions in the next couple of weeks, it is important to remember that the district’s goal will be to continue to be and protect who and what we are — a small school with incredible programs and offerings,” Pytleski said. “This is why students and families want to be here and we will do all we can to protect our brand. We will continue to thrive.”
Lena’s fund balance is in decent shape, according to information Pytleski provided at public meetings the last couple of months, so there has been no talk about consolidation or dissolution in his district, but there will be a need to make some cuts to avoid depleting the district’s savings.
Lena and Gillett were among 72 school districts asking voters to approve referenda April 7, and Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly said that was an indication that the state is not doing enough to properly fund schools. She noted it has been an issue going back for several years.
“Years of chronic underfunding from the state, combined with rising costs, have pushed too many districts into an unsustainable cycle, forcing communities to repeatedly turn to voters just to meet simple, basic needs like keeping schools staffed and the lights on,” Underly said. “This is unfair to students, educators and taxpayers alike, and it is placing an increasing strain on communities across our state.
“Wisconsin must renew its commitment to investing in our children. That means adequately funding public schools so every district can deliver the high-quality education students deserve, without being forced to rely on repeated referendums to survive.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
