What is the Operational Referendum ballot question that CFAUSD will be asking stakeholders to vote on April 2, 2024?

“Shall the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,500,000 per year for three years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and ending with the 2026-2027 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses to maintain staffing levels, programs, services and facilities?”

What is an Operational Referendum?

An operational referendum allows Wisconsin school districts to temporarily exceed state revenue limits to cover rising education costs if approved directly by voters in the community.

Why is an Operational Referendum needed at this time?

Since 1994, Wisconsin school districts have relied on state aid and property taxes to fund operations, but revenue limits haven't kept pace with rising costs, forcing over 80% of districts to utilize temporary operational referendums approved by voters to maintain student services. CFAUSD is now facing these same challenges. Click here to see a graphic illustration.

What is the estimated taxpayer cost per year if the operational referendum is passed by the CFAUSD stakeholders?

It is projected that CFAUSD taxpayers would pay an additional five (5) cents per one thousand ($1000) of assessed property value per year. To give our stakeholders a sense of what that would look like:

• $100,000 of assessed property value = $5.00 per year
• $250,000 of assessed property value = $12.50 per year
• $500,000 of assessed property value = $25.00 per year 

Why is the District only asking for three years of operational referendum funding?

The District is currently facing a projected deficit over the next five years, but at this time is only requesting voter approval for three years of funding. The reason is, in 2025, the WI State Legislature and Governor will have an opportunity to revise the education funding formula in the next biennial budget to address the revenue shortfall that has accumulated throughout the State since 2010.

If the operational referendum is passed, how will the funds be utilized by the District?

The proposed April 2 referendum would generate $2.5 million per year for three years starting in 2024-25 to sustain CFAUSD’s current educational opportunities and prevent further reductions beyond enrollment-driven staffing adjustments.

If the Operational Referendum fails, how will the District address the pending financial constraints and what are the likely repercussions?

If the April 2 referendum does not pass, CFAUSD will need to make $1.9 million in reductions next year (2024-25) and significantly reduce staff, programming, services, compensation, and benefits across the District over the next three years to account for the estimated deficit of $7.5 million that is looming.

What measures have been taken to control costs in the District over the years? 

School districts have been under revenue limits since 1994. Revenue increases have never risen as fast as expenditures, so adjustments have been made year after year in CFAUSD. A few highlights are as follows:

• Health insurance reform - being self-funded and creating an onsite clinic has saved over $10 million based on health care inflation
• Energy Management projects
• Technology purchased and equipment cycles
• Restructuring of professional development
• Expanded class size parameters and course offerings
• The most recent round of cuts was $1.6 million in 2021-22

All total since 1994, cuts and efficiency combined under revenue limits, is nearly $20 million

Has CFAUSD been deficit spending or utilizing fund balance in the past to operate?

No, by policy a balanced budget must be provided to the Board for approval. Use of fund balance is not a long term solution. Without reductions, CFAUSD would be out of funds quickly. Fund balance is really more for cash flow purposes, due to the timing of when the District receives state aid and property taxes.

Where does CFAUSD rank in total size as a school district in WI and per pupil spending cost?

33rd largest school district and ranks 267th in per pupil spending - we are a frugal school district.

Didn't the District receive "extra" dollars during the Pandemic through federal funding?

No, money from the State decreased in relation to inflation during the Pandemic and the federal dollars supplanted the State's need to appropriately fund public schools. Hence, the District made reductions in the 2021-22 budget to the tune of $1.6 million.

What is the difference between recurring and a non-recurring referendum?

• A recurring referendum is one that is ongoing, meaning it is not for a specific time period.
• A non-recurring is for a specified period of time, and purpose.

This referendum is for $2.5 million per year for 3 years, and is non-recurring.

How much additional funding is CFAUSD seeking from taxpayers? 

CFAUSD is asking for $2.5 million each year for 3 years.

What are the rules for CFAUSD employees around campaigning and influencing people to vote one way or another?

Sharing basic facts with families and others about why the funds are needed is perfectly acceptable and encouraged. However, promoting support or opposition for the referendum on school district time/channels would be inappropriate.

How will the money be overseen and accounted for if approved?

Through the District's normal process; budgets are approved, and monitored monthly by the Board. Annually CFAUSD goes through a fiscal audit by an independent auditor, which is also reviewed by the Board in open session and released to the public.

How have budget projections been crafted and analyzed?

The District utilizes a 5-year budget projection model that gets updated every year. It is a common model that is used throughout the state.

Could funds have been redirected over time from other areas of the budget to avoid an operational referendum? 

CFAUSD has worked hard over the years to operate within revenue limits and has made over $10 million in cuts and gained efficiencies along the way. This work has prolonged the referendum question already.

What support services are facing reductions? 

All support staff and service areas could be affected.

What maintenance projects would be deferred and how would that affect building conditions or safety?

At this time we are not proposing deferring any additional maintenance, it only makes  matters worse later on down the line.

Which teaching staff positions are at risk if the funding doesn't pass?

Increasing class sizes and reducing academic and extracurricular offerings will lead to the most teacher reductions, which negatively impacts the District's ability to retain and recruit quality teachers.

Will administration be reduced?

Yes, administration will also be reduced, which is already in the process.