Greetings from Superintendent Karrels
Introduction to Referendum 2024
Welcome to the Northern Ozaukee School District (NOSD) referendum webpage. This page was created to provide our community members with a resource to cast an informed vote on the district’s operational referendum that will be on the ballot on April 2, 2024. We encourage you to look over the information on this page, so you can cast an informed vote in the upcoming election. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please call Superintendent Karrels at (262) 692-2489 ext. 402 or send an email to dkarrels@nosd.edu. Thank you for your support and interest in Northern Ozaukee School District. |
Links to Important Information
Informational Videos: Click the boxes to view
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 April 2, 2024.
For easy navigation, the FAQs are divided into 3 categories: referendum basics, NOSD referendum information, and voter information.
This is a fluid page and will frequently change based on voters’ questions.
As always if you have questions that are not addressed, feel free to reach out to NOSD Superintendent Dave Karrels or Director of Business Services Josh McDaniel.
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 is $8.35.
NOSD Referendum Information
Increased costs for goods and services, inflation, and decades of inadequate per-pupil funding from the state have significantly impacted District operations. The district has operated off of roughly the same state imposed revenue limit for the past 10 years. As a result of not seeing an increase in the revenue limit, NOSD has cut costs annually to live within the allowable revenue budget.
If approved, funding would maintain:
- Current programs & student services
- High quality staff
- Essential facilities maintenance
If the referendum is approved, the plan is to 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 utilizing 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 or state aids) 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 $1,700,000 annually, only levying what is truly needed.
Like many Districts across the state, NOSD’s enrollment had previously declined. However, our current student enrollment is stabilizing and is currently at 703, 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 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. And, the District would likely return to the community with a proposal for a future operating referendum.
Voter Information
The 2024 Referendum will be on the April 2, 2024 Spring Election ballot. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM-8:00 PM
Shall the Northern Ozaukee School District, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,700,000 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, services, and facilities?
__ 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.
