The Madison School District could ask taxpayers for more than $600 million this November through two referendums that would pay for ongoing operational expenses and for renovations to school buildings.
The School Board is almost certain to approve two referendum questions later this month that will appear on the November ballot: One would ask for $100 million in a recurring, operational referendum. That amount would be broken into smaller chunks and implemented gradually over the next four school years.
The other would ask for up to $507 million in a facilities referendum to pay for school upgrades. The district is considering building several completely new schools, too, according to meeting materials shared ahead of Monday’s School Board work group session.
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The board will meet Monday night to discuss the proposed wording and amounts for the two questions. Details are likely to change ahead of the board’s vote, which is scheduled for June 24.
In Wisconsin, referendums are the only way districts can exceed state-imposed revenue limits that control school spending. It’s up to local voters to decide whether to approve the measures. Passing a referendum means additional tax increases for residents beyond what they already pay to school districts.
Watch as West High School seniors visit their old elementary school and teachers days before graduation.
If both measures pass, that means the average tax bill for residents could increase by $1,376 by 2028.
The estimated tax impact for residents is as follows:
Operational referendum: 2024-25 — $316.72 increase; 2025-26 — $315.49 increase; 2026-27 — $209.1 increase; 2027-28 — $208.28 increase; total: $1,049.58 increase in property tax bill over the next four years.
Facilities referendum: 2025-26 — $327.47 increase; 2026-27 — $328.83 increase; 2027-28 — $326.20 increase.
Since 2000, the district has put 10 referendum questions on the ballot. Eight have passed, giving the district extra money to balance its operating budget and for renovations and construction. In 2020, voters passed a $33 million operating referendum, which pays the bills to keep the district running, and a $317 million capital referendum to fund renovations to five of the district’s high schools and to build the new Southside Elementary School.
Those referendum dollars dry up this year, though, and the final $40 million the district can access in COVID-19 relief funds expire in September.
The district faces an estimated $45 million shortfall next school year, Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services Bob Soldner told the Wisconsin State Journal.
The board on Monday will also discuss the proposed 2024-25 budget and introduce amendments. The preliminary budget is up for approval on June 24.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story misstated the total tax impact on homeowners if both measures pass. The total tax increase is projected to be $1,376.
