Deerfield Community School District operational referendum question on Nov. 5 ballot [View all]

On Aug. 19, the Deerfield Community School District Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to include an operational referendum question on the upcoming Nov. 5 ballot. The referendum question is a five-year non-recurring referendum for $1 million for the 2024-25 school year and $1,500,000 each year for the 2025- 26 through 2028-29 school years. This approval comes following a recommendation from the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) at the Board Committee meeting held on Aug. 5.

The CAC, a group of community residents, began meeting last spring to review the district’s financial status, learn about Wisconsin school funding and work together to create a community survey to get feedback from district residents. The community survey, mailed to all residents in June, had a 30% participation rate which far exceeded the norm of 18-22%. Based on the survey responses from resident parents and non-parents, there was a strong preference for this referendum question with 68% of the respondents in support of the plan. The CAC based its recommendation to the school board on this feedback from the Deerfield community.

The Deerfield Community School District recognizes the importance of providing a quality education to all of our students; however, operational budget constraints have presented significant challenges in maintaining this standard. Lack of state funding, a low revenue limit and the end of COVD-19 funds have placed the district at a disadvantage compared to our neighboring districts. This operational referendum will allow the district to bridge the gap and continue to deliver an exceptional education.

The district encourages all eligible resident voters to participate in the Nov. 5 election. The success of this referendum is essential to ensuring that Deerfield continues to be an exceptional place for children to learn and grow.


https://www.hngnews.com/cambridge_deerfield/news/local/deerfield-community-school-district-operational-referendum-question-on-nov-5-ballot/article_08b26640-6ec1-11ef-b852-3b0192bbcc5d.html