Both the Prescott and Plum City referenda passed during the Nov. 5 election, and leaders of both schools have emphasized their thankfulness to the community while simultaneously discussing the state’s school funding model.

Prescott

Prescott failed an operating referendum in April that caused budget cuts for personnel, transportation, programs, athletics and extra-curriculars. This time around, the recurring $1.2 million for operating expenses passed with a sizable margin of 3,459 in favor and 2,653 against.

“It’s with great gratitude that our community was willing to step up and invest in our students first and foremost and staff for the great work that’s been going on academically and the arts and athletics here at Prescott Public Schools,” Superintendent Dr. Rick Spicuzza said.

For taxpayers, the passing means a mill rate of 7.766 and an annual increase in property taxes of $6.60 per $100,000 of property value. The district’s mill rate will see an increase for the first time after a significant decline all the way from 12.38 in 2017.

Spicuzza referred to a state funding system that sets a per pupil levy cap that has been in place since 1993, allowing different amounts of money to be allocated to different districts based on decades old finances. Prescott’s cap is $11,074 per student, while a school like Hudson has $12,348 to work with. Prescott is not the only district in the state affected by the model. According to Wisconsin Watch, approximately half of Wisconsin’s school districts have or will go to referendum in 2024.

“It’s kind of survival,” Spicuzza said. “It gives us financial stability based on the lack of, basically, an equitable funding system for public schools within the state of Wisconsin.”

Under the system, much of the power lies in the hands of the people of each community to decide whether a school should receive more funding.

Spicuzza said many school districts in the state are trying to advocate changes to the system, and he has hope for some changes including increased special education funding and a focus on mental health.

“[The referendum passing] really gives an opportunity for a superintendent to focus on running an organization, leading an organization, versus having to continue to educate a community about finances and how inequitable they are,” Spicuzza said. “I will ask that our community now start to focus on Madison that has a $4 billion surplus.”

Spicuzza cited $50 million approved to go to public school for early literacy that has not been shared with districts and will sunset in June to add to the surplus. Prescott has put a focus on early literacy, with Spicuzza saying the money not going to the districts is damaging.

Plum City

Plum City passed a three-year operating levy in 2022 that expires at the end of the current school year. This time around, the district brought a four-year operating referendum to the table of $1,750,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, $1,900,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, $2,050,000 for the 2027-2028 school year and $2,200,000 for the 2028-2029 school year. The vote passed 563-484.

The mill rate in Plum City over the next four years is projected to fluctuate between 12.5 and 14.2 with the school’s portion of the monthly tax between $104 and $118, increasing from the range of $73-$89 over the previous three years.

“We are very thankful to have passed this referendum,” District Administrator Chris Kamrath said. “It means a lot to our students and our school for the foreseeable future. We’re thankful for all that helped with this referendum, it certainly was a lot larger than just me.”

Kamrath said the district knows not everyone was in favor of it, but they look to prove that they are both trustworthy and smart with the community’s money.

“It will allow us to continue our services that we have,” Kamrath said. “Continue to pay our staff, pay our bills, as well as upkeep of our buildings including safety and security.”

Kamrath also spoke of the state funding model; he shared some optimism of changes to both the special education funding and an increase in per pupil funding.

“We would have been facing a $1.5 million shortfall on approximately a $5 million budget,” Kamrath said. “It will give us peace for the next four years, and we’re hopeful that some things will change at the state level between now and then.”

Kamrath mentioned changes at the state level may not mean no referendum comes to the table; however, the impact on the amount could be significant. He said the district knows this amount was a big ask compared to the size of their district, and they are extremely thankful for the community seeing the benefit.