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November 5th: Operating Referendum

The unofficial results of the operating referendum proposed by the Platteville School District did not see support from its voters during the November 5 vote with a 52% (3,803) voting no, and yes votes amounting to 48% (3,452). Moving forward, the school district will continue to evaluate budgetary needs for the upcoming school years.

Our district will remain committed to providing the best possible education with the resources we have. We want to thank everyone who participated in the vote. Although this outcome does pose a challenge and uncertainty for our district, we will continue to work diligently to address the needs of all students and maintain the high standard of education that they deserve.

The Platteville School District is committed to serving every student with the highest quality education and "to ensure high levels of learning for all in a safe, inclusive learning community; Every Student, Every Day."

The Platteville School District is known for delivering a high-quality education for every student, every day. Rooted in innovation, programs that are offered to our students are designed to help them succeed now and into the future.

In order to ensure a promising future for our students and maintain our high-quality instruction, the district is asking our voters for an operating levy increase that will help to maintain our schools. Unfortunately, state funding has not kept up with inflation and the record-high prices that schools are seeing for goods and services.

Without a referendum, our operational budget will not be able to maintain our current programs and co-curriculars offered to our students.

Annual Meeting: Budget Presentation

Community Conversations: Dr. Jamie Nutter, CESA3

facts to know

BALLOT LANGUAGE

QUESTION: BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Platteville, Grant, Lafayette and Iowa Counties, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $800,000 for the 2024-2025 school year; by an additional $800,000 for the 2025-2026 school year; and by an additional $800,000 for the 2026-2027 school year (for a total of $2,400,000 and to remain at that amount thereafter), for recurring purposes consisting of ongoing district operational costs.

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School Funding: Explained

Please watch this short video for an overview of how schools are funded in the State of Wisconsin:

school funding

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How did the Platteville School District get here?

  1. State and Federal funding has not kept pace with inflation.

  2. Costs of maintenance, services, and salaries have increased.

  3. As a result, local taxpayers are asked to participate in a referendum concerning the operating budget, which seeks to exceed the state-mandated revenue limit for our school district.

Why did the Platteville School District go to referendum in November 2022, and are now going to referendum in November 2024?

  1. There are two different types of referendums. The 2022 Capital Referendum was for building (capital) improvements. An Operational Referendum is for ongoing district operational costs (staff salaries/benefits, utilities, services, maintenance).

  2. Capital Referendums are common to update facilities in order to maximize learning environments and make energy improvements. The planning process for the November 2022 Capital Referendum started in 2020. The lack of state funding was not determined until July 2023.

  3. The root word of Referendum is "REFER" – routine operating expenses now have to be referred to the voters due to an outdated state funding formula.

Why did the Platteville School District build a "football field"?

It is not just a football field. It is our Activities Complex - purposely called that because of the many activities it has and will host. We have plans to host many large events at our Activities Complex, which brings outside groups of people to Platteville that spend money in our community. For example, we will host the WIAA Spring Track Regional Meet in 2025. Our new Platteville Activities Complex has been used by the following groups so far and planned use for:  

  • Physical Education Classes

  • Band & Marching Band

  • Graduation Ceremony

  • Middle School & Elementary Field Day

  • Drum & Bugle Corps

  • Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour

  • Community 5K Run

  • Summer School Strength & Conditioning

  • Soccer, Softball, Baseball, Track & Field, Cross Country, Football

  • Youth Camps and Alumni Events

  • Kids Night Out Events (Educators Rising)

  • Homeschool Groups

  • Community Members (walking the track)

  • Southwest Wisconsin Auto Club