On Wednesday, August 21st, the Prescott School Board unanimously passed a resolution to exceed the revenue cap in the amount of $1.2 million on a recurring basis for ongoing operational expenses. This includes competitive wages for staff and to fund academic, athletic and extracurricular programs for our students.
Since the state-imposed revenue cap limits in 1993, over 87% of Wisconsin school districts have turned to their community voters to [surpass or go beyond the cap] to invest further in schools via an operational referendum. In addition, prior to 2009, school district per-pupil aid was adjusted for inflation. This is no longer the case creating an expanding gap between real costs and per-pupil funding.
The graph provided shows that if per-pupil aid was still tied to inflation Prescott School District would be receiving over $4 million more revenue than it currently receives. PSD must turn to its community to help bridge the gap between insufficient funding and the ability to maintain and invest in its people, programs and performance.
CHALLENGES: Following the April 2nd unsupported operating levy, the school board and administration made significant budgetary cuts to personnel, transportation, programs, athletics and extracurricular activities. These steps were required to provide a balanced budget for this year.
However, no business or organization can continue to cut revenue and excel. The programs and performance PSD has provided our community are top-tier. Future performance and programs are now at risk. PSD will remain at a disadvantage without additional revenue; unfortunately, the WI legislature has failed for two decades, requiring local communities to invest. An unsuccessful vote would force the district to deficit spend (use funds from reserves) and will require further cuts to staff and programs for fall 2025.
A SUCCESSFUL VOTE WOULD ADDRESS:
- Staff Compensation: The majority of our budget goes toward staff compensation and benefits (83%). Our staff remain committed to a model of continuous improvement that has produced excellent results proven in the recent Wisconsin Academic Report Card: PSD ranks: #1 among MBC districts and is in the Top 10% for Academic Achievement and Top 15% in Student Growth in Wisconsin and has numerous state champion athletics and activities teams.
- However, staff compensation has fallen behind our neighboring districts.
PSD’s starting salary and compensation must be market competitive to attract and retain high-quality educators.
- Educational Programming: A successful vote on November 5th would allow the district to invest in PSD’s instructional model, Building Thinking Classrooms, early literacy and math curriculum, as well as the curricular resources and staff training required to implement these programs. Now that our buildings are right-sized and have updated infrastructure, it is time to invest in classroom furniture and technology that support PSD’s model of Building Thinking Classrooms.
- Athletics & Extracurricular Programming: A successful vote on November 5th would allow the district to retain and expand its robust athletic and extracurricular programs that have provided the community with a sense of pride in the school district they live in and support.
- Operational Expenses: The cost of heating, cooling, powering, repairing and maintaining our buildings has risen at a steady rate while funding support has steadily fallen behind.
- A successful vote will not increase the school portion of your property taxes.
CHOICE: State and federal educational aid fails to keep pace with inflation and required mandates. PSD's future is at risk from both a performance and financial standpoint. The Prescott community has come to expect exceptional results from our students, athletes, performers and staff. We must turn to our local supporters to invest in the future of our students and communities. Your vote on November 5th will be a CHOICE between mediocrity or a continuation of the excellence PSD has delivered.