Over the years, the partnership between the Ellsworth community and its school district has been central to local pride. From classrooms to athletic fields, local resident support has helped ensure our students receive quality academic programs, dedicated support services, and safe learning environments.

Following the April 2026 referendum that did not pass, the Ellsworth Community School District listened to the community’s feedback and took immediate action to address its budget shortfall. In response, the district eliminated more than 15 staff positions—including administrative, teaching, and support roles—delayed bus purchases, deferred technology updates, and reduced classroom material budgets.

Facing persistent inflation and fixed revenue limits, the Board of Education is seeking community guidance to help chart a new path forward.

Understanding the financial landscape

A community survey that will be distributed to district households during the first week of November outlines several ongoing financial factors influencing school operations:

• Expiring Operational Support: Funding from the 2022 operational referendum ($1.3 million annually) expired at the end of the 2025–26 school year.
• Rising Operational Costs: Expenses for utilities, bus diesel, van fuel, insurance, building maintenance, and competitive staff compensation and benefits continue to climb.
• State Revenue Caps: School funding has lagged behind inflation since 2009. If funding had kept pace with inflation, Ellsworth would have received approximately $5.7 million more in funding this year.
• Special Education Funding Deficits: Due to gaps in state reimbursement for mandated special education services, the district had to reallocate $2.6 million from its general operational budget last year to cover required student services.
• Enrollment Trends: Like 75% of school districts across Wisconsin over the past 15 years, Ellsworth serves fewer students today. Because student decreases occur across multiple grade levels, operational costs do not decrease proportionally.

Rather than deciding next steps in isolation, district leaders are using this communitywide survey to gauge community preferences and gather clear feedback on how residents wish to address operational needs without sacrificing educational quality.

A critical foundation for strategic planning

While short-term financial choices are a central focus, the survey also plays a crucial role in shaping the district's long-term vision. Survey responses will directly feed the district’s comprehensive strategic planning process taking place from January through March 2027.

Three distinct survey sections serve as critical tools for residents to voice their perspectives:

• "Your Feedback:" Evaluates key organizational pillars including communication effectiveness, school safety and culture, leadership, district direction, and fiscal management. This gives leadership clear community baseline data on what the district is doing well and where improvements are needed.
• "Future Ready Planning:” Allows community members to highlight top operational priorities for the next five years—such as career and technical education (CTE), mental health support, life skills, technology integration, safety, or academic achievement.
• "Future Ready Graduates:” Asks residents to identify essential competencies local students need beyond core academic subjects to succeed after high school, ranging from financial literacy and critical thinking to career readiness and personal integrity.

By completing these sections, community members directly supply the data and community vision required to build a well-rounded strategic plan for 2027 and beyond.

How to complete your survey

To ensure confidentiality and objectivity, all survey collection and data analysis will be conducted independently by School Perceptions, an educational research firm. All adult residents in the Ellsworth Community School District are encouraged to submit their feedback by the deadline on Nov. 25.

Two ways to participate:

1. Online: Visit www.SPFeedback.com and enter the unique access code mailed to your household. (A Spanish-language version is accessible online by clicking the link in the top right corner).
2. Paper: Complete the paper survey included in the mailer and return it to any school office or mail it directly to School Perceptions (PO Box 607, Slinger, WI 53086).

Survey codes are single use. If additional adults in your household require a survey code, or if you need assistance completing your survey, contact the District Office at (715) 273-3900 on or after November 7. Survey results will be presented at an upcoming School Board meeting and published on the district website.

Looking ahead

Our schools are more than buildings—they are the foundation of Ellsworth's future, where tomorrow's leaders, innovators, and workforce are shaped today. Navigating the path ahead requires bold choices and a clear vision, but most importantly, it requires your voice. When we invest our input and shared priorities into our students, we ensure that every graduate leaves our classrooms fully prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Please take the survey by November 25th and help build the future our students deserve. As always, you are welcome and encouraged to connect with me at nadeaub@ellsworth.k12.wi.us or 715-273-3900.