FORT ATKINSON — During its Sept. 17 meeting, the Fort Atkinson School District Board of Education members were updated on the $7.1 million operational referendum that will be on the Nov. 3 election ballot.
The current $6.5 million referendum, which passed in 2024, expires at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
The new referendum will not be an additional $7.1 million for the public to fund, but rather a $600,000 increase from the current one set to expire.
The figure reached $7.1 million after accounting for increased costs since 2024 and incorporating community feedback through surveys.
The purpose of the operational referendum is to "provide funding to support the programs, services and educational opportunities our community values," according to Superintendent Dr. Robert Abbott.
School districts across the state are asking for referendums.
Sixty public school districts out of the 421 in Wisconsin are trying to pass an operational referendum this fall, according to Abbott.
"This is not a Fort Atkinson issue, this is a State of Wisconsin issue. As much as we have control over lots of things in our own school district, there are many financial aspects we do not," said Abbott.
The district is lagging behind $3,751 per pupil looking at 2025 statistics, according to Treasurer Robyn Selle.
"Look at last year's enrollment, 2,246 students," Selle said. "Just quick math - not even accounting for special education reimbursement, just per-pupil reimbursement - shows it's a little over $8 million. That is where we have lagged behind with state aid," said Selle. "This isn't budget mismanagement by a district, this is truly (about) keeping up with where we need to be in paying teachers, the benefits we need to offer, the facilities and how much things cost today to just run a district."
Board member Kurt Lewis talked about the importance of investing in education.
"Money towards education is the only thing we can guarantee that we give to a public body that comes back with a return on that investment," said Lewis. "We've got to invest in the kids and their education, otherwise as a nation we are in trouble."
More information on the referendum was explained in a recent 1Fort Report referendum podcast episode featuring Abbott, Selle, School Board President Kory Knickrehm and the Fort Atkinson School District Director of Business Services Nathan Knitt.
There are multiple community engagement events planned from now until Nov. 3 hoping to educate residents about the referendum and answer questions from the public.
Residents are heavily encouraged to ask questions if they had any.
"Please look at the resources that are out there, email, call the offices, call school board members, get in touch with people if you have questions, because this is really critical for the community," said Selle.
The school district also put out a dedicated website with more information.