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Minocqua J1 School District 2026 Referendum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Minocqua J1 School District Sets Parameters for Ballot Question August
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minocqua J1 School District Sets Parameters for Ballot Question August 11th, 2026
MINOCQUA, WI – August 11, 2026 – Previously the Minocqua J1 (MJ1) School District School Board has announced its intention to move forward with a plan for referendum on November 3, 2026. During the August 11th meeting, MHLT board members heard from administration and representatives from Nexus Solutions, PTMA, and the law firm Quarles and Brady about the potential parameters of a Resolution/Ballot Question to be voted on at the August 17th, 2026 board meeting.
The parameters that have been set by the school board will have several financial implications. For MJ1, he proposed a unified ballot question granting the District authority to restructure existing debt obligations, effectively reallocating those funds toward daily operational needs.
○ Aggregate Funding Request: $3.5 Million
○ Dedicated Facility Improvement Allocation: A portion of the $3.5 million request will be dedicated to Facility Improvements.
● Fiscal Consequences of the Proposal:
○ Based on an anticipated 6.6% appreciation in local property values.
○ It is projected that the mill rate will likely revert to FY27 levels over a five-year horizon, influenced by shifts in student populations and statutory funding exemptions.
○ Aggregated Impact: $0.66 per $1,000 of property value.
● Approximately 38% of these funds are expected to be recouped within four years due to mechanical adjustments in the enrollment formula.
The last time MJ1 went to referendum was 2006; there are indications that the community was pleased with the management of those funds over the past two decades and the results that have been provided. The proposed Resolution will help MJ1 maintain academic programs, maintain student support staff, and maintain class sizes as well as addressing the building maintenance through the operating budget.
The MJ1 administration and school board will be looking to present Referendum information in a variety of ways moving forward after the Resolution language is voted on at the August 17th board meeting. The Administration will be reaching out to area towns, organizations, and individuals to offer informational presentations at their scheduled meetings as well as doing informational sessions at the MJ1 School. More information will be provided as we continue down this exciting and much needed path to a great future for our kids.
Information or Question Contacts: 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 thank you for your support as well as sharing information about our District so we can better serve our students and families.
