Ellsworth’s operational referendum survey did not see significant support from the public, as the school board heard during a Dec. 10 presentation

With 1,180 survey respondents, the response rate was higher than the 2023 facilities referendum survey in 2023 at 945 respondents. School Perceptions Project Manager Daren Sievers said that 20.3% response rate was higher than expected given this survey was for an operational referedum rather than facilities. The margin of error was placed at +/-2.91%.

With the district projecting a $500,000 deficit for 2026-27 and beyond, as well as the 2022 referendum set to expire in 2026, the district would be left with a $1.3 million hole. Student enrollment is also declining statewide, meaning less funding from the state as schools are funded on a per pupil basis.

To make up for the deficit, Ellsworth would spend down cash reserves and savings, which the presentation stated is “not sustainable.”

Survey takers were given choices of a $4 million per year referendum, $3.5 million, $3 million, less than $3 million or none at all. Going down each level leads to a new wave of cuts according to district information. Per the $3 million proposal, up to eight classroom teacher positions would be cut, mental health services reduced, bus routes reduced, extra-curriculars reduced and the fund balance would continue to be spent down.

“We’re already operating at a deficit, the $1.3 [million] isn’t enough by about almost a half a million dollars,” Finance Specialist Traci Lewis said. “We’re looking four years ahead, and saying we want to maintain a 10% fund balance.”

Weighted support, meaning adjusting parent, staff and non-parent resident percentages to more accurate representation of Ellsworth’s voting demographic, was 20.3% for a $4 million referendum, 27.3% for a $3.5 million referendum, 31.8% for a $3 million referendum and 42.75% for a referendum less than $3 million.

“It’s got to be something that people really would see, ‘Oh, they really heard us,’” Sievers said of looking into a referendum smaller than $3 million. “They’re asking for far less than that proposed amount.”

He said as they lower amounts further below $3 million, he believes they could potentially continue to grab more residents in support of a referendum.

The board will hold a special meeting Jan. 7 to determine the next course of action and whether or not they will continue to pursue a referendum vote during this election cycle.

Board Member Gary Kressin said the community does not have less support for the school district, but property value changes at the state level and other factors have made tax season difficult on many residents.
“If I was to buy my house now, I couldn’t afford the payment,” Kressin said. “Three years ago, someone would have gotten taxed on a $200,000 house, but now they’re getting taxed on a $600,000 house.”

Sievers said Ellsworth is not unique in needing to go to an operational referendum, as 83% of districts in the state have gone to this style of referendum.

“This is some of the lowest support I’ve ever reported,” Sievers said. “I think it’s just because a perfect storm of multiple referendums that they support previously, where they feel like they’ve kind of done their part. Plus, the other tax increase that took place in the district.”

District Report Card

Ellsworth received its Department of Public Instruction report card for 2024-25, scoring a 70.8 overall as a district to finish in the category of “meets expectations.” The high school met expectations with a 62.9 score, the middle school exceeded expectations with a 74.9 score and the elementary school exceeded expectations with a 76.9 score.

School leaders from each of the three schools presented their ideas to improve over the course of the 2025-26 school year.

Other business

• Approved a change to the head lice policy, removing the sentence: “If a student with live lice or untreated nits is not able to be picked up immediately, they may remain in the classroom for the remainder of the school day.”
• Approved the 2026-27 school calendar, with the first day of school Sept. 1 and the last day May 28. Spring break spans March 1-5.
• Acknowledged attendees of the Middle Border Leadership Conference, members of the EHS musical and State Honors music students.

Personnel

The board approved the following personnel changes:

Hires: Tim Conway, middle school assistant principal long-term sub; Derek Staley, athletic generalist.

Resignations: Ashley Boe, middle school assistant principal; Donald Schladweiler, bus driver.

Extra/Co-Curricular: Leo Draveling, high school wrestling coach.