To the editor,

As members of the Vote YES Committee, we have one important thing in common: we passionately believe that passing this referendum is best for our community. Voting YES for our schools is voting for a strong community, and a vibrant future. We understand our need to bring people together for one reason…our children deserve to know the adults in Ellsworth care about providing them with the best possible opportunity to thrive.

Educating our youth is a common thread that binds us. Just as we relied on the support of adults for our education, now it’s our turn. Supporting our kids is not only our responsibility, it’s our privilege.

Our district has a history of fiscal responsibility. In 1993, the State of Wisconsin enacted a levy on school funding that capped districts based on their spending at that time. Our cap remains well under the state average for per-student funding because our district was lean. Out of 421 districts in Wisconsin, we rank 249th in revenue limit per student. Even with our current $1.3 million operating referendum, we are still in the bottom half. Additionally, declining enrollment over four years reduces our state funding by another $1.93 million, while our operating expenses continue to increase. We aren't asking to be the highest-funded district in Wisconsin; we are simply trying to keep our heads above water.

The $1.3 million already being cut is necessary operational money that we, as a community, rely on every year. If your family is already feeling burdened by these cuts, you’re not alone. Asking our school district to cut another $2.2 million from an already lean budget will affect staffing, tools, and standards for years to come.

Let’s stand together behind our school leadership, acknowledging the heavy weight they’ve been carrying for decades. With our shared resources, our kids become the next generation of professionals, engineers, mechanics, caregivers, leaders, and educators we need. Through our example and our support, they’ll become the skilled contributors our community will come to rely on.

Please Vote YES on April 7.

Residents,

Angie Whelan

Julie Lundstrom

Katie & Jarod Traynor

Mindy Anderson

Lisa Bench

Jessi Willenbring

Sue Walz