Madison and Eau Claire Schools Threaten Budget Cuts
At least two school districts in Wisconsin are waiting for taxpayers before they finalize their spending plan.
Madison Metropolitan Schools and Eau Claire Area Schools on Monday both approved two budget plans: One that includes their proposed property tax increase, and one that doesn’t.
Both schools are asking taxpayers for more money on the November ballot.
Madison Metropolitan Schools are asking for two referendum questions, one that would raise $100 million over four years for pay raises and benefits, and another that would raise $507 million over 23 years for new buildings in the district.
Bob Soldner, MMSD’s assistant superintendent of financial services, said in a statement Monday that he expects parents in Madison to support both questions.
“Madison is a community that understands the importance of public education and has demonstrated a commitment to supporting its schools time and again over the years,” Soldner said “We are hopeful that as many people as possible will head to the polls next week to exercise their constitutional right to vote.”
Madison Metropolitan Schools last asked voters for money in 2020. Voters then approved two referendum questions, one that raised $317 million to renovate four of the city’s high schools, and another that raised $33 million for day-to-day operations.
Eau Claire Schools are asking taxpayers for $72 million over four years for day-to-day operations.
The district said the money would pay for “non-recurring purposes to fund operating costs to ensure stability of educational programs, including elementary reading; behavioral and mental health resources for students; school safety; and to sustain student to staff ratios.”
Eau Claire Schools last went to the taxpayers for more money in 2022, when voters approved a $98 million referendum for building improvements.
Both Eau Claire Schools and Madison Metropolitan Schools say they will make budget cuts if voters don’t approve the tax hike referendums, though those specifics were not laid-out Monday night
Nearly half the school districts in Wisconsin are going to voters for more money this November.
Interested in the content of this Article?
Reach out to the MacIver Institute to aquire more information