2026 Referendum

Dear Dodgeville School District Community,

Over the past year, we have listened to our community. You asked for clearer information, responsible spending, greater transparency, and strong results for students. Your feedback has guided our work.

We have increased communication about district finances, staffing, and student results. We have also made difficult budget decisions. Since 2023-24, student enrollment has declined about 4%, while district staffing has been reduced about 16%. We have combined positions and responsibilities, delayed purchases, and reduced expenses while working to protect opportunities for students.

At the same time, our students continue to make progress. Dodgeville Elementary School has exceeded expectations on the State Report Card for three straight years. ACT results have improved, and our students continue to earn college credit through Advanced Placement courses.

We also heard clearly that cost matters. Families and taxpayers have budgets of their own, and we understand that.

As November 3 approaches, we will share clear information about the referendum. Our goal is simple: give our community the facts needed to make an informed decision.

Our Kids. Our Schools. Our Future.

Start Here...Go Anywhere!

How the Funds Would Be Used:

The proposed operating referendum, $1.9 million dollars for each of the next three years would provide funding support for the day-to-day operations of the Dodgeville School District. The funding is designed to

address the following areas as outlined in the table below. As we move forward we will provide

monthly reports to the community so that we can analyze how we are utilizing the funds and

managing the district.

How much will the mill rate increase for the school portion of the property tax bill?

The school district mill rate is the portion of the property tax rate that funds school operations.

Current school mill rate: $5.65
Estimated school mill rate with an approved referendum: approximately $7.50
Increase: $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value

How This Impacts Property Owners

For every $1,000 of assessed property value, the school tax would increase by about $1.85 per year.

Estimated Examples (School Portion Only)

$100,000 property value: approximately $185 per year
$200,000 property value: approximately $370 per year
$250,000 property value: approximately $462 per year
$300,000 property value: approximately $555 per year

These figures are estimates and reflect only the school district portion of the tax bill.

Important Context for Property Owners

This change is only the school district portion of property taxes.
Other portions of the tax bill (municipal, county, technical college) are separate.
Property values are set by the municipality, not the school district.

Has the district reduced staffing? administration?

In 2023-24, the Dodgeville School District had 160.35 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.

By 2025-26, staffing had decreased to 134.02 FTE.

That is a reduction of 26.33 FTE positions in two years.

Reductions Have Happened Across the District

The largest number of positions reduced has been among licensed staff, which includes teachers and other licensed professionals. Licensed staffing decreased by more than 18 FTE, or approximately 17%, in two years.

Administrative staffing has experienced the largest percentage reduction. Administrative FTE decreased from 9.0 to 5.57, a reduction of approximately 38%.

Aides, support staff and other positions have also been reduced by approximately 10%.

These changes have included eliminating positions, leaving some positions unfilled, and combining roles and responsibilities.

Putting the Changes in Perspective

Since 2023-24:

Student Enrollment ↓ About 4%

Total Staff FTE ↓ 16.4%

Licensed Staff FTE ↓ 17.3%

Administrative FTE ↓ 38.1%

The District has not responded to declining enrollment by simply maintaining the same staffing structure. Staffing reductions have significantly outpaced the decline in student enrollment.

What's Happening to Wisconsin's Public Schools

Merimac and Main Public School Funding.mp4

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