School districts statewide are primarily funded by state aid and local property taxes. Our district is also subject to a revenue limit that was originally established by the state in 1993. For decades, however, the revenue limit for districts like ours has failed to keep pace with inflation. If this funding source had kept pace with inflation since 2009, we would receive about $3,500 more per student each year. This would be an additional $11 million to pay for operational expenses. State aid is also affected by enrollment. Since the 2019-20 school year, our full-time equivalent enrollment has fallen by about 5.6%. Additionally, more than $357 million was reduced by the state from general public school aid for private school vouchers in 2025-26. This resulted in more than 70% of Wisconsin public school districts seeing a reduction in their aid.

The budget deficit for the current school year was $1.99 million. To cover this shortfall, the Board of Education decided to use one-time funds the district had on hand from the Inflation Reduction Act. However, current financial projects show the district facing annual deficits averaging $7 million for the next six years.

The board and administration have taken a number of steps to reduce spending in recent years. This includes the closure of two elementary schools, eliminating the equivalent of 39 full-time staff positions, ending some staff stipends, and modifying health benefits for district employees.

On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, district residents will vote on a non-recurring operational referendum question for the Menasha Joint School District. If this measure is approved by at least 50% of voters, we will be able to exceed the district’s state-imposed revenue limit by $6 million annually through 2031-32.

Yes. Approximately 88% of districts statewide have attempted operational referendums in their history. Over the past decade, more than half of the state’s school districts have received approval from voters to exceed revenue limits.

Yes. Last fall, a community-wide survey was conducted to gather feedback and input about a potential referendum. More than 56% of respondents said they would support a non-recurring operational referendum with an annual revenue limit increase of less than $7 million.

If the operational referendum is not approved on April 7, the board and administration will need to consider additional budget cuts that could impact programs and services for students, reduce staff, increase class sizes, limit extracurricular activities, and delay maintenance. The referendum is our only option to prevent additional cuts to programming and opportunities for students.

An approved referendum would have an estimated average annual school district property tax impact of $5 for every $100,000 of property value. This would amount to an average increase of approximately $12.50 per year above the current tax rate for a property valued at $250,000. The board and administration have a history of respecting the needs of property taxpayers and being fiscally responsible. In fact, from Fiscal Year 2022 to Fiscal Year 2025, the district’s mill rate (or property tax rate) has fallen 12% from $11.68 to $10.27.

The proposed referendum would sunset at the conclusion of the 2031-32 school year.

Election day is Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. More information is available at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us.(https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/)

District residents can find their polling location (https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/FindMyPollingPlace)for Tuesday, April 7, by searching with their home address.

Yes, voters may request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason. However, you must be registered before you can request an absentee ballot. If you are registered, you can request an absentee ballot by visiting https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee.(https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee) Note that you must provide a photo ID (https://myvote.wi.gov/Portals/0/Documents/AcceptablePhotoIDs.pdf?ver=vS9TnMVULlI9Yi0mGe-P0g%3d%3d)with your absentee ballot request.

Eligible voters can register up to election day, and can even register at the polls. The deadline to register by mail or online is March 18, 2026. If you miss this deadline, you can still register in person at your municipal clerk’s office until 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2026, or at your polling place on election day. To learn more about registering to vote, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/register-To-Vote.(https://myvote.wi.gov/register-To-Vote)

Voters will see the following question on their ballots on Tuesday, April 7, 2026: Shall the Menasha Joint School District, Winnebago, Calumet and Outagamie Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $6,000,000 рer year for six years, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and ending with the 2031-2032 school year, for nonrecurring purposes consisting of operational expenses?