Operational referendums can be recurring, meaning they have no “sunset” or non-recurring, which means that the district is authorized to exceed the revenue limit for a set period of time.

Last fall, we surveyed our community about their educational priorities. Our needs are two-fold, operational and capital. If the Operational Referendum is approved, a subsequent Capital Referendum will follow.

Phase 1 - The Operational Referendum aims to secure crucial funding to support the day-to-day operations and maintain the high standards of education, programs, and services offered at Wilmot Union High School. The Operational Referendum is designed to ensure sustainable financial resources, empowering us to continue fostering an environment where every student thrives academically, emotionally, and socially.

Phase 2 - The Capital Referendum will focus on addressing critical infrastructure and capital improvement needs essential for the continued growth and development of our school. We are committed to enhancing facilities, modernizing technology, and providing resources that align with the evolving educational landscape.

Wilmot’s Board of Education is seeking a three-year non-recurring operational referendum to exceed the revenue by $2,000,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, by $2,500,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, and by $3,000,000 for the 2026-2027 school year.

The mill rate is the total amount of the tax apportionment (levy) divided by the total local assessed value for that taxing jurisdiction. This rate is expressed in mills per dollar of value or the amount per $1,000 of the equalized assessed value of the property. The current WUHS mill rate is $2.57. This means that currently, property owners pay $257.00 for every $100,000 of property value.

If the referendum passes, the projected 2024-2025 mill rate is $3.98. The projected 2025-2026 mill rate is $3.18. The projected 2026-2027 mill rate is 3.04.

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Regardless of what happens with the referendum vote, the mill rate is projected to increase to $3.43 in 2024-2025 due to a final bond payment from the 2015 energy savings capital project.

The mill rate is expected to decrease in 2025-2026 to $3.18 due to the retirement of the district’ debt in 2024-2025.

The district’s expenditures are increasing and revenues are decreasing. Just like everyone else, inflation impacts school district budgets. We have been forced to put off routine and preventative maintenance which is no longer sustainable. We also cut 22 positions last spring and would like to hire some of them back to better support our students.

If approved, the funds will be used to hire back some of the positions that were cut after the failed April, 2023 referendum, complete deferred maintenance projects, provide updates to security, and begin to build the fund balance so we can afford routine maintenance in the future.

• Avoid 5-8 FTE staff reductions = $500,000

• Hire back 4.3 FTE teaching positions = $430,000

• Hire back 1.0 FTE custodial/maintenance position = $70,000

• Student chromebook replacement = $75,000

• Student transportation vehicle replacement = $80,000

• Dedicated levy for building maintenance = $1,000,000.

  • Projects with a life expectancy of less than 20 years

    • Roof replacements = $500,000 / year

    • Security System Upgrades/Cameras = $100,000 every 6-8 years

    • LED Lighting Upgrades = $100,000 / year

    • Set aside for future needs = $300,000 / year

      • Boilers

      • Chillers

      • Air Handlers

      • Parking Lots

      • Exterior Maintenance / Tuckpointing

      • Windows/Doors

      • Plumbing / Electrical systems

• Elimination of 22 staff positions in 2023

• Reduction in administrative and assistant positions

• Reduction in starting wages for support staff positions

• Pay freezes for multiple employee groups in 2022

• Change in health insurance carrier and health insurance plan design multiple times

• Other reductions in the cost of employee benefits

• Prepaid debt

• Installation of energy efficient lighting in 2015

• Modernization of HVAC controls

• Elimination of late busses

• Increased student fees

If the referendum does not pass, we will be forced to eliminate additional teaching and support staff positions. There will be reductions in programming and course offerings. Class sizes will be increased, again. We will also have to further delay much needed facility repairs including preventative maintenance.