FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Minocqua J1 School District Announces Plan for November 2026 Referendum to Address Essential Financial Needs

 MINOCQUA, WI – June 3, 2026 – Minocqua J1 School District School Board has announced its intention to move forward with a plan for referendum on November 3, 2026. The decision is driven by significant, ongoing fiscal pressures, including inadequate state funding, declining enrollment, rising special education costs, and increasing contractual costs with vendors.

 The official commitment to the referendum date and the approval of key vendor partnerships took place at the special meeting held on June 2, 2026. These key partnerships include Nexus Solutions (facility renovations), Quarles & Brady (legal advice/processing), and PTMA (financial advisor related to debt if issued). These types of partnerships are common for school districts embarking on the referendum process.

The district faces three primary financial challenges:

1. Declining Enrollment: The district lost 42 FTE students last year, spreading across all grade levels. Declining enrollment erodes the district’s revenue limit authority. The presentation and meeting commentary state that staffing and program changes are likely regardless of a referendum, but passing a referendum would make the rate of change something that is controlled by the district instead of legislation coming out of the capital.
2. Special Education Expenses: The state has funded only about 35% of special education costs for FY26, and while that is the highest it's been in recent years, history shows that is just over half of what was supplied by the state in the early 1980’s. Without funding that matches the needs agreed upon by IEP teams, money will continue to be taken from Fund 10 (Regular Education) to support Special Education at a disproportionate rate.
3. Expenses Outpacing Revenues: Funding that makes it through the biennial budget process repeatedly falls short of what is needed. Vendor cost increases for items like Health (9%) and Transportation (4.25%) far exceed the CPI (2.63%), which leads to diminished purchasing power for all school districts in Wisconsin.

The district shared data that suggests the fiscal capacity for a referendum is high given low mill rate history relative to state-wide data. In addition, the district explicitly states that consolidation is not a "magical answer" that would fix local district problems. Regardless of what the data shows or sentiment at the meeting conveyed, the Board approved a community phone study to be conducted by Morris-Leatherman Company. In addition, the district's Board members and three administrators will be available, hosting informational meetings, and doing presentations throughout the community wherever they are allowed. Between the survey, extra meetings, and work-day availability, community members can provide input to be considered in the referendum question development process.

Referendum Timeline of Major Activities: The following timeline details the major activities leading up to the November 3, 2026, vote:

• June: Formally commit to the referendum, approve vendor partnerships, approve the community survey method, review the strategic plan, and begin community meetings.
• July: Review community survey data, draft the referendum question(s), capital renovations plan, and draft the information management plan.
• August: Formal approval of the ballot question(s) and beginning implementation of the information plan.
• September & October: Present and share information through the information management plan.
• November 3, 2026: Voting day.

Accountability and Contact: Accountability for sharing broad information and talking points is assigned to all administration, staff, and Board members. Specific detailed information will be available from the following administrators:

• Referendum Process: Robert Smudde, District Administrator rsmudde@mhlt.org / 715-356-5206, ext. 2113
• Detailed Finances: Edward Then, Director of Business Services ethen@mhlt.org / 715-356-5206, ext. 2111
• Student Services and Special Education: Dayle Vanderleest, Director of Student Services dvanderleest@mhlt.org / 715-356-5206, ext. 2120

The Board and administration look forward to meeting with community members and moving the community forward. One of the benefits of a small leadership team is being able to make personal connections and having a clear ability with minimal bureaucracy to follow through on promises. We intend to do exactly that in a transparent and honest manner throughout the process. Go Firebirds, past, present and future!