The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) unanimously approved two new referendum questions in June that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot on June 24 aimed to soften the blow amid budget challenges.
The district is asking voters to approve an operations referendum for $100 million, and a facilities referendum for $507 million. If the facilities referendum passes, the estimated property tax impact would be $27 per month over 23 years beginning in 2025, according to MMSD’s website. If the the operations referendum passes, the estimated property tax impact would build over four years beginning at $26 per month for the first year.
MMSD described the operations referendum as a method to fund staff compensation, combat escalating healthcare costs and provide continued investment for district initiatives such as mental health services and full-day 4K offerings. The facilities referendum will focus on aging infrastructure in both elementary and middle schools, similar to the 2020 referendum which focused on physical improvements to MMSD high schools.
“These referenda are vitally important to the continued health of our district on a number of levels. At this moment, we are at a point where important decisions regarding operating costs need to be made,” the district said in a statement to The Daily Cardinal.
The state of Wisconsin imposes a limit on how much a school district can receive in state and local levies for operation. This cap, in recent years, has failed to keep up with rapid inflation. Furthermore, special education mandates are only covered up to 31% by the state, meaning the district must cover the remaining costs.
With aid that has failed to meet inflation and state caps on district revenue, the district has been forced into difficult budget territory. A report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum (WPF) found MMSD can no longer rely on federal COVID-19 relief dollars and revenue raised from a 2020 referendum to bring enough money in.
This contributes to an estimated $39 million deficit in 2024-25, according to the report. WPF estimated that, by 2028, property tax bills would increase by $1,376 on the average value of a Madison home if these two questions pass.
But MMSD is not alone in this challenge. Across Wisconsin, districts are finding themselves considering similar proposals. In the April 2024 election, 92 referenda were proposed across the state to combat similar issues.
“It's imperative that the public understand that these referenda are investments not only in our schools, students, and educators, but in our communities themselves. Our schools are the heartbeat of the neighborhoods they serve; they're resources that serve to benefit all who call Madison home, regardless of age, income, or background. Healthy schools equal a healthy Madison,” MMSD said.
Additional information and opportunities for feedback are listed on MMSD’s 2024 referenda webpage.
This article was updated to provide MMSD commentary.
