Additional Questions Answered

On April 1, 2025, voters in the School District of Beloit will decide whether to approve a referendum allowing the district to exceed state-imposed revenue limits by $40.25 million over three years. This measure, approved by six of seven Board of Education members to be placed on the ballot, aims to support key district priorities, including staff retention, academic improvements, behavior support, and financial and operational stability. The district has faced financial challenges due to state funding limitations, with no per-student funding increase in six of the past ten years impacting essential programs and operations.

Without additional revenue, the district anticipates a budget shortfall that could impact programs and services. The referendum is intended to provide funding for operational needs, including staffing, academic programs, and student support services.

Yes, in 2024, school districts across Wisconsin proposed 241 referendums, with voters approving 169 measures totaling $4.4 billion in new funding. Beloit did not pass its previous referendums, which means the district has not received additional voter-approved funding. Without a referendum, the district must operate within existing revenue limits, which may present budgetary challenges.

For the 2024–2025 school year, the district reduced expenditures by $11 million and utilized a trust to balance the budget. These adjustments included reductions in teaching and support staff positions, as well as modifications to contracted services.

The district has already implemented spending reductions, including staff adjustments and reductions in contracted services. Additional reductions could impact class sizes, academic and behavioral support, and student services. Budget planning is ongoing, and future decisions will be guided by available funding and priorities set by the Board of Education.

If the referendum does not pass, the district will need to evaluate additional budget adjustments, which may include reductions in staffing, programs, or services. The Board of Education will determine specific steps based on available funding and financial priorities.

Without additional revenue, the district may need to make budget adjustments that could impact class sizes, staffing, and student services. Specific changes would be determined by the Board of Education based on funding availability and district priorities.

If approved, referendum funding would support staffing, academic programs, and student services. This includes resources for literacy and math instruction, behavioral support, and maintaining competitive compensation to attract and retain educators.

School district funding impacts students, staff, and the broader community. Public schools contribute to workforce development and local economic stability. The referendum is one option for addressing the district’s financial needs.

If approved, the referendum would result in an estimated school tax rate of $7.53 per $1,000 of assessed property value. 

The formula for calculating estimated property tax Contribution: 

• Divide your property value by 1,000 and multiply that number by the mill rate. 

Example: If a home is valued at $157,600 and the mill rate is $7.53: $157,600 ÷ 1,000 = 157.6 157.6 × $7.53 = $1,186.73 annually

To estimate a monthly impact: $1,186.73 ÷ 12 = $98.89 per month

If approved, the referendum would provide funding for three years. Future financial planning will depend on state funding levels, enrollment trends, and district needs.

If state funding levels remain the same, school districts may continue to seek operational referendums to address budgetary needs. Changes in state funding, district enrollment, or other revenue sources may impact future funding requirements.

The district’s financial planning is based on available estimates and best practices, including the Baird budget model. Factors such as enrollment trends, staffing needs, legal requirements for special education services, and state funding levels are considered in financial projections. The financial plan assumes a 2.0% annual increase in equalized property value, though historical trends suggest growth may be higher, potentially affecting the estimated mill rate. Future changes in state funding could also impact district financial planning.

The district is committed to financial transparency and oversight. If approved, referendum funding would be reviewed by the Board of Education and the Ad Hoc Budget Committee to ensure alignment with budget priorities.

A portion of the referendum funding is designated for staff compensation to attract and retain high-quality educators. The plan includes a 5% increase in staff compensation each year, though final amounts may vary based on negotiations between the Beloit Education Association (BEA) and the Board of Education (BOE).

The estimated total for staff compensation over the three-year referendum period is $12,238,298, with approximately $3.8 million in Year 1, $4.08 million in Year 2, and $4.35 million in Year 3.

The referendum includes approximately $1.68 million over three years for academic resources and interventions, specifically focusing on reading and math.

These funds will help ensure students have access to necessary educational tools and programs identified as priorities by the district to enhance student achievement.

The referendum includes approximately $2.84 million for behavioral support resources and staffing over three years. This funding is allocated for six behavioral support positions, one assistant principal at Beloit Memorial High School, two middle school dean of students positions, and six paraprofessional support positions.

These positions are intended to provide additional behavioral support within schools.

Over three years, the remaining funds will be allocated to district operations, including payroll, utilities, and facility maintenance. Additionally, funding will support student programs such as academics, extracurricular activities, and special education. The district also maintains reserve funds for unexpected costs, including emergency repairs and transportation, while planning for long-term needs like technology and infrastructure.

The District is committed to providing accurate and comprehensive information to residents. In addition to a dedicated referendum webpage, the District will share details through social media, mailings, and community events leading up to the April 1, 2025, vote. For more information, visit https://www.sdb.k12.wi.us/2025referendum.

The facilities assessment report conducted in the fall of 2023 identified several maintenance and upgrade needs across district buildings, including:

• Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Systems: Aging systems requiring attention throughout district buildings.

• Playground and Green Space Conditions: Hackett and Merrill elementary schools have limited green space. Hackett is the only elementary school in Beloit without dedicated green space. The asphalt and concrete at both sites show signs of alligator cracking and poor drainage, requiring ongoing maintenance.

• Plumbing Conditions: Robinson Elementary’s plumbing was rated as “functional but in poor condition, worn from use.”

• Interior Finishes: Cunningham and Todd elementary schools have ceilings and flooring rated as worn.

• Roofing and Structural Conditions: In November 2024, significant rainfall caused leaks in three classrooms. Similar occurrences may continue as buildings age as systems end their useful life.

The district evaluates funding sources to address these needs, including its operational budget, grants, and other available resources. If approved by voters, an operational referendum could provide funding that may be used to help maintain and improve facilities as part of overall district operations.

This report provides insight into current facility conditions and areas where maintenance or improvements may be required.

2025 Maintenance Review Presentation

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), approximately 45% of school funding comes from state aid, while 7% comes from federal aid. The remaining 48% is primarily generated through local property taxes, referendum-approved tax levies, special grants, school fees, and other revenues.

For the Beloit School District’s 2024-25 general operations and special education budgets, funding is expected to come from the following sources:

• 82% from state aid

• 9.3% from federal aid

• 4.3% from local property taxes

• 4.4% from other sources

School funding is influenced by factors such as state funding formulas, local tax revenue, and the availability of grants or other financial resources. As educational services, staffing, and facility maintenance costs fluctuate, school districts must plan their budgets accordingly.

Public school districts rely on a combination of state aid, federal funding, local property taxes, and other revenue sources to cover everyday operational costs. When revenue does not keep pace with rising costs, funding gaps can affect multiple areas of school operations, including:

• Staffing Salaries & Wages: Includes teachers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, administrators, facilities staff, and substitutes.

• Employee Benefits: Covers health, dental, life, long-term disability insurance, state-mandated retirement contributions, payroll taxes, and workers' compensation.

• Instructional Costs: Includes textbooks, technology, classroom and lab supplies, and special education resources.

• Facilities & Maintenance: Covers utilities, cleaning, repairs, security, and general building upkeep.

• Student Transportation: Supports morning and afternoon routes, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and specialized transportation needs.

• Technology & Communication: Funds internet services, software, IT support, and parent communication tools.

• Extracurricular & Athletics: Includes coaching, equipment, uniforms, transportation, and facility maintenance.

• Special Education Services: Supports Individualized Education Plan (IEP) services, therapy, assistive technology, and specialized staffing.

• Administrative & District Services: Covers legal costs, staff training, insurance, and office supplies.

• Food Services: Supports school meal programs, food preparation, and kitchen equipment.

These recurring costs are essential to daily school operations and ensuring consistent learning opportunities for students. When funding does not align with rising expenses, districts must assess budget priorities to maintain services.

Wisconsin law (s. 121.90) places limits on the revenue a school district can receive each year from general state aid and select local levies. These revenue limits restrict the total financial resources available to the district, regardless of rising costs.

As a result, total available revenues have not kept pace with expenses, leading to budget constraints that affect areas such as staffing, academic programs, class sizes, student support services, and extracurricular activities. Schools must operate within these financial limits while continuing to meet educational needs and maintain services.

There is no money allocated in our referendum for turf at Jacobsen Field. The priority areas that will be addressed in this referendum are listed and clearly communicated on our webpage.