Investing in the Future of NOSD
Operational Referendum: November 5, 2024
The Northern Ozaukee School District (NOSD) is known for it’s family feel, high-quality students and staff, and the incredible opportunities we offer our students during their time here. In the most recent State Report Card, NOSD was ranked top 12% of all K-12 Districts in the State of Wisconsin.
While we aim to continue offering these opportunities, we are simultaneously facing a serious budget shortfall that requires the attention of our school district. The projected deficit will reach up to $800,000 for the 2024-25 school year.
All Wisconsin schools are subject to a revenue limit, which places a cap on the amount of money they can raise through state aid and property taxes. As a result, NOSD does not receive enough revenue to adequately fund programs and services for students.
Proposed Solution
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, our school community will vote on a proposed $4,400,000 non-recurring operational referendum, which asks for $1,100,000 annually over the next four years. If it is approved, the referendum would expire at the end of the 2027-2028 school year.
An approved referendum would enable NOSD to:
- Hire a total of three additional teachers to address very
large class sizes at OES and OMS. - Fill budget deficit needed to run day-to-day operations of the school.
- Maintain competitive salaries, to retain and attract high quality teachers.
What has Changed with this Referendum
- As a result of feedback received from voters, the total amount over four years was reduced by $2,400,000.
- Removed the replacement of track and maintenance shed from the money requested.
- Due to an increase in student enrollment for the 2024-25 school year and future projections, this reduced the money needed to be requested.
Community Information & Engagement Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
To the right are frequently asked questions regarding the operational referendum the Northern Ozaukee School District is asking voters to approve on November 5, 2024.
For easy navigation, the FAQs are divided into 3 categories: referendum basics, NOSD referendum information, and voter information.
FAQs will be updated with new questions that come to our attention.
As always if you have questions that are not addressed, feel free to reach out to NOSD Superintendent, Dave Karrels, Director of Business Services, Josh McDaniel, or a School Board Member.
Referendum Basics
Unlike a capital referendum (taking out long term debt to borrow for capital projects only), an operational referendum provides authority for a school district to exceed the revenue limit for operational purposes which provides cash (no additional debt) for current year operations.
A recurring operational referendum provides for an ongoing or permanent increase to the revenue limit. A non-recurring operational referendum provides a temporary increase in the revenue limit for a defined amount of years. NOSD is bringing forward a non-recurring referendum for four years.
The term, “levy” (verb) refers to an action of raising or imposing taxes or special assessments. For example, “the District will levy an amount not to exceed the revenue limit.” It can also be used as a noun, referring to the total of taxes or special assessments raised or imposed by a governmental unit. For example, “the total school tax levy cannot exceed the revenue limit established by the state.”
Mill rate (also referred to as “tax levy rate”) refers to an amount of tax paid per dollar of equalized property value. The mill rate is based on “mills” – meaning, the amount per $1,000 of equalized property value and is used to calculate property tax. The approved 2023-24 mill rate for NOSD was $8.35.
NOSD Referendum Information
After years of right sizing and strong fiscal management, NOSD is facing a significant budget deficit. All Wisconsin schools are subject to a revenue limit, which limits the amount of money they can raise through state aid and property taxes. As a result, NOSD does not receive enough revenue to adequately fund programs and services needed for students. This is a common challenge for school districts across our state resulting in over 70% of the 421 Districts passing an operational referendum to fund operations.
We are facing these challenges largely due to factors out of our control, including decades of insufficient state funding, inflation, rising operational costs, and unfunded mandates-particularly in special education. This means the district absorbs increasing costs without additional financial support from the state.
If the referendum is approved, the school board plans keep the school portion of the tax bills the same over the next four years. This can be done by reducing early debt payments and reallocating the funds for operational purposes.
The proposed referendum asks permission to raise funds specifically for operating needs. By decreasing early debt payments (not NOSD’s required debt payments) and reallocating these funds for operating needs, the District could address future budget deficits. Changing how funds are used, requires community approval.
Unanticipated funding from the state (increasing the allowable revenue limit) would be very beneficial and could provide flexibility to further lower the mill rate and/or resume prepayment of debt (saving on interest costs). The School Board plans to levy up to $1,100,000 annually, only levying what is truly needed.
Like many Districts across the state, NOSD’s enrollment had previously declined. However, our student enrollment is stabilizing and is approximately at 720 students for the 2024-25 school year, the highest student enrollment number since 2018. Additionally, the District has significantly closed the gap between students who are open enrolling-in vs. open enrolling-out.
The District will bring forward another operational question during the next general election. The school board believes they have exhausted all areas where significant budget savings could be recognized without significantly effecting the equality of education provided to our students.
The District and School Board will engage the community in the development of a reduction plan for staffing and student support services, course offerings, technology & equipment upgrades, extracurricular & athletic offerings, and facilities maintenance schedules and modifications to class sizes.
Voter Information
The Fall 2024 Referendum will be on the November 5, 2024 General Election Ballot. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. Click here for polling information.
Shall the Northern Ozaukee School District, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,100,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including to maintain current educational programs.
__ Yes
__ No.
MyVote Wisconsin is the state’s official source for voter information with resources to help you understand how to cast a ballot on Election Day including a review of your voting information, polling location, registration, and absentee ballot (early voting) procedures.
VOTE in the General Election on Tuesday November 5, 2024
Ballot Langauge
“Shall the Northern Ozaukee School District, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,100,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including to maintain current educational programs.”
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