Have questions about facility planning and referendum discussions in the Waunakee Community School District? Community members are invited to stop by our informational sessions and building tours to learn more, ask questions, and stay informed about the future of our schools and facilities. We encourage our community to get involved, share perspectives, and be part of the conversation as we plan for the future of our schools!

Your voice matters as we plan for the future of Waunakee schools.

Community Drop-In Sessions

• September 23 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Bethel Circle District Office
• September 29 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | M-N-M Coffeehouse
• October 1 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Waunakee Public Library
• October 5 | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Starbucks Waunakee
• October 15 | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Grace Coffee Co.
• October 21 | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Waunakee Village Center
• October 22 | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Bethel Circle District Office

Community Drop-In Sessions and Building Tours
Tuesday, September 29

• 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. | Informational Sessions and High School Tours at Waunakee Community High School
• 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Informational Sessions and High School Tours at Waunakee Community High School

*Waunakee Community High School (WCHS), 301 Community Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597
Please check-in at the front office at Waunakee Community High School.

Community Drop-In Sessions and Building Tours
Tuesday, October 13

• 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. | Informational Sessions and High School Tours at Waunakee Community High School
• 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Informational Sessions and High School Tours at Waunakee Community High School

*Waunakee Community High School (WCHS), 301 Community Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597
Please check-in at the front office at Waunakee Community High School.

Virtual Information Sessions

• October 6 | 1:00 p.m. - Zoom Webinar Link
• October 6 | 6:00 p.m. - Zoom Webinar Link

Thank you very much for joining us for a virtual informational session. You can view the recording of the presentation here.

District representatives will also share information about the 2026 referendum at a variety of community and organizational meetings throughout the fall. Some meetings are open to the public.

Visit our FAQ document to learn more.

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Turn on captions by clicking the CC (Closed Captions) button at the bottom of the YouTube video.

To change the caption language, click the Settings (gear) icon next to the CC button. Select Subtitles/CC, then choose a language or select Auto-translate.

Question #1 Ballot Language:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR RECURRING PURPOSES

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Waunakee Community School District, Dane County, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $4,200,000 for the 2027-2028 school year; by an additional $2,100,000 for the 2028-2029 school year; by an additional $2,100,000 for the 2029-2030 school year; and by an additional $2,100,000 for the 2030-2031 school year (for a total of $10,500,000 and to remain at that amount thereafter), for recurring purposes consisting of ongoing operational expenses and employee compensation expenses.

Question #1: Investing in People

This operational referendum would provide recurring funding for the district’s annual operating budget. These funds are used to provide competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain high quality staff.

If approved, the district would maintain its current annual operational funding of $2.1 million (approved in 2024) and increase this amount by up to $2.1 million per year. The additional amount would be phased in over four years, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. After the four-year phase-in, our new revenue limit would remain at this level.

Question #2 Ballot Language:
INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $97,500,000

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Waunakee Community School District, Dane County, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $97,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: removal of an older portion of the High School and construction of additions and renovations at the High School; renovations at the old middle school (known as the High School South Campus); outdoor athletic field renovations and improvements at the High School Campus; district-wide renovations, capital maintenance and site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

Question #2: Investing in Places

The capital referendum would provide funding for the next phase of the district’s long-range facilities plan, focused primarily on Waunakee Community High School. The proposed improvements would modernize learning spaces, enhance safety and security, and update aging infrastructure.

If approved, the project cost would not exceed $97.5 million, including approximately:

• WCHS renovation and new construction — $88.7 million
• South Campus (former Middle School) renovations — $4.4 million
• Outdoor athletic fields and facilities — $4.4 million

August 2026

• 2026 Referendum Fact Sheet: Review an overview of the two referendum questions, proposed facility plans, estimated tax impacts, and opportunities to learn more.
• 2026 Referendum Fact Sheet (Spanish): Review an overview of the two referendum questions, proposed facility plans, estimated tax impacts, and opportunities to learn more.

September 2026

• 2026 Referendum Postcard: Mailed to all households within the Waunakee Community School District boundaries, this postcard provides key referendum information and directs residents to additional resources.
• 2026 Referendum Info Card: Provides a brief overview of the 2026 referendum, including the two questions, key information and ways to learn more.
• 2026 Referendum Presentation: Provides an overview of the two referendum questions, proposed plans, financial information and estimated tax impacts.
• 2026 Referendum Presentation (Spanish): Provides an overview of the two referendum questions, proposed plans, financial information and estimated tax impacts.
• 2026 Referendum Newsletter: Mailed to all households within the Waunakee Community School District boundaries, this newsletter provides information about both referendum questions, proposed plans, estimated tax impacts and ways to learn more.
• 2026 Referendum Newsletter (Spanish): Mailed to all households within the Waunakee Community School District boundaries, this newsletter provides information about both referendum questions, proposed plans, estimated tax impacts and ways to learn more.

October 2026

• Waunakee Tribune Article: Published in the October 16 edition, this piece provides information about both referendum questions and resources for community members to learn more.
• Virtual Informational Session Recording: Watch the October 6 virtual informational session to learn more about both referendum questions and hear answers to community members’ questions.
• Reel #1: Community Engagement Sessions
• Reel #2: Question #1 and Question #2 Referendum Overview

Why Now?
Maximizing the 4K-12 Student Experience

Students learn differently today than when many areas of Waunakee Community High School were originally built. The proposed plan addresses several identified needs:

• Modern Learning Spaces: Update classrooms, science labs, career and technical education spaces, and flexible learning areas to support current and future programming.
• Safety and Security: Improve secure access, campus traffic flow, and emergency response capabilities.
• Aging Infrastructure: Address portions of the high school that are more than 55 years old.
• Expanded Learning Spaces: Expand space and student access to high-demand programs, including Health Sciences, Agriculture, Culinary Arts, and more.

The new WCSD Data Dashboard provides families, staff, and community members with a transparent and easy-to-use view of district performance measures and strategic indicators. The dashboard allows stakeholders to explore meaningful data and monitor progress over time while helping tell the story of student success and district priorities. Access our dashboard: WCSD Data Dashboard

Did You Know?

Among peer districts in Dane County, WCSD has the second-lowest spending amount per student for the most recently audited fiscal year. The district works to maximize available resources through cost-saving measures, including energy-efficiency projects, annual review of health benefits, regular review of operational expenses, and district-owned individualized transportation services.

*Tax impacts shown are estimates based on interest rates, borrowing terms and timing, and may change.
**SOURCE: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Comparative Cost Per Member data

A Phased Approach: Built on Community InputFor more than a decade, the Waunakee Community School District has taken a strategic, long-range approach to facilities and financial planning. Guided by ongoing community input, this work has focused on offering robust academic programs and services, retaining high quality staff, and providing modern learning environments to students and staff across our district.

The proposed 2026 referendum questions represent the next phase of our comprehensive long-range planning. They address both the district’s ongoing operational funding needs and facility improvements at Waunakee Community High School.

In spring 2026, the Waunakee Community School District conducted a community survey to gather feedback on the District’s financial needs, long-range facility planning, and potential November 2026 referendum questions. The survey was conducted by School Perceptions, an independent education research firm, and received 1,822 responses.

Community members can review the Spring 2026 Community Survey and the Community Survey Results presented to the Board of Education on May 18, 2026. The feedback gathered through the survey helped inform the District and Board of Education as they continued planning for the future.