REFERENDUM QUESTION

Operational Referendum

The Washington-Caldwell School Board is seeking a non-recurring operational referendum for four years.  Revenue authority is requested to fill the funding gap each year as follows: 

School year:

2024-2025 - $450,000.00

2025-2026 - $450,000.00

2026-2027 - $450,000.00

2027-2028 - $450,000.00

The Board approved a resolution seeking the minimal amount needed to fill the operating gap for each of the next four years. The decision to ask for only what is minimally needed was made in consideration of the taxpayer while seeking to maintain a quality educational program for students.

Why is an operational referendum needed?

The revenue limit is what the State allows schools to collect from all sources. Revenue has been far below the necessary expenses needed to run the school.  This funding gap has been widening for several years. 

At the same time, the Washington-Caldwell tax mill rate has been declining.  Washington-Caldwell has exhausted viable options for reducing expenses and is turning to taxpayers via referendum for authority to collect more revenue via an operational referendum.

The Washington-Caldwell School District had avoided an operational referendum until last year. We continue to be at a critical point and are again turning to voters to exceed the revenue limit through a non-recurring operational referendum. Revenue for schools statewide is declining due to lower state funding. At the same time, despite controlling costs, essential expenses, such as wages for staff, utilities, transportation, etc. are outpacing revenue.

Operating referendums are used for the day-to-day operation of the school district. 

Funds will be used for:

• Continuing student programming and co-curricular activities;

• Maintaining current class sizes and caseloads;

• Providing competitive compensation to retain and attract high-quality educators;

• Maintaining technology software and hardware;

• Providing necessary classroom, office, and maintenance supplies; 

• Completing routine maintenance; 

• Paying for expenses such as transportation, utilities, etc.

What will the tax impact be when the Operational Referendum passes?

Average of $1.41 per $1,000 of property or $141/year for $100,000 property value in year one. For more information go to the 'Tax Impact' tab on this website.

*Assumptions
The estimates are based on the assumption of 2% annual growth in equalized value of the Washington Caldwell School District.