The Board of Education is proposing  two referendum questions to address both operational needs and facility improvements. Since 2010, the district has followed a long-range facilities plan to thoughtfully maintain and improve school buildings as community needs evolve. The proposed capital referendum would invest in improvements at Waunakee Community High School, completing the third phase of that long-term plan. The proposed operational referendum would provide additional funding for the district's annual operating budget, including staff salaries and benefits, educational programming, and other operating expenses.

Two separate referenda questions will be on the ballot during the 2026 Fall General Election on the ballot on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. To preview those questions,please click here. These independent ballot questions were approved unanimous 7-0 on August 10 by the Board of Education.

An operational referendum provides funding for the district's day-to-day operating expenses. This includes costs such as teachers and staff, student programs, instructional materials, transportation, technology, utilities, safety, and other expenses necessary to operate schools each day.

A capital (facilities) referendum provides funding for major building projects and long-term facility improvements. These funds can only be used for capital expenses, such as constructing, renovating, or expanding school buildings, improving safety and security, updating infrastructure, and maintaining district facilities. They cannot be used to pay for everyday operating expenses.

State law requires separate questions for operational revenue needs vs. capital facility bond referendums.  Also, Wisconsin school districts are permitted to ask two referendum questions per calendar year. These two questions can be during the same election or during different election dates. 

At this time, the Board of Education and Administrative team has not created a budget reduction list. If the operational referendum is not approved, the School Board will seek feedback from community stakeholders and likely consider another operational referendum for April 2027.

Due to the state school funding formula and its gap between rising inflationary costs vs. our annual revenue, we either seek community referendum support or make budget cuts and program reductions.  School funding in Wisconsin is complex. Many districts are facing increasing costs while state funding and revenue limits have not kept pace with inflation or the actual cost of educating students. As a result, more districts are asking their local communities to consider operational referendums to maintain educational programs, student services, and daily operations.

If approved, operational referendum funds would primarily be used to support competitive employee compensation, including salary adjustments tied to the district's compensation system and increases in the cost of living. The goal is to keep employee salaries competitive with comparable Dane County school districts, helping the district attract and retain high-quality teachers and staff while maintaining the excellent educational experience students and families expect.

If approved by voters, the operational referendum would allow the district to increase its revenue limit by up to $2.1 million annually, with the increase phased in over four years beginning with the 2027–28 school year.

After the four-year phase-in, the increased revenue limit would remain in place and would not need to be renewed through another referendum. This is called a recurring referendum.  During the phase-in period, if state funding changes significantly, the Board of Education may choose to levy less than the amount authorized by the referendum.
 

An operating referendum can be recurring or non-recurring. 

What is a recurring operational referendum?

• A recurring operational referendum allows a school district to levy that additional dollar amount in an ongoing manner (no end date).  This approach avoids the need to frequently ask for public operational support while also improving district budget planning and stability.  

What is a non-recurring operational referendum?

• A non-recurring operational referendum allows a school district to levy additional dollar amounts for a period of time defined in the resolution (set end date). Due to the state funding formula, this approach requires frequent return of operational referendum support and disruptions to budget planning and stabilization. 

At this time, the Board of Education and administrative team have not developed a list of potential budget reductions. If the operational referendum is not approved, the Board will evaluate the district's financial outlook, seek feedback from staff and community stakeholders, and determine next steps, which may include either reducing staffing levels and programs or considering an operational referendum in April 2027.

The Waunakee Community School District has taken a number of steps to operate efficiently and maximize available resources before considering an operational referendum. These efforts reflect the district's ongoing commitment to responsible financial stewardship and thoughtful use of taxpayer dollars.

• Developed a district operated McKinney-Vento transportation program, allowing the district to transport eligible students with district staff rather than relying on outside vendors, resulting in cost savings while maintaining required services.
• Creation of the WaunaGrow program, which allows us to educate alternative education students in-district.
• Invested in solar energy systems and geothermal heating and cooling to reduce long-term utility costs and improve energy efficiency.
• Implemented Data Wrangler, a utility metering software that allows us to analyze data, improve operational energy efficiency, and support informed decision-making.
• Regularly reviews budgets, staffing, contracts, and operational practices to identify opportunities for savings while maintaining high-quality educational programs and services.
• Worked with insurance providers to find cost-saving measures within our district operated clinic.

The district is proposing a capital referendum as the final phase of its long-range facilities plan, which began in 2010 at the request of community members to ensure students and staff have access to high-quality, modern learning spaces across the district (K-12). The proposed projects would replace portions of the older (19070s) portion of the existing high school with modern educational spaces, creating learning environments that are more consistent with what students already experience at the Elementary School, Intermediate School and Middle School.

The proposed capital referendum would fund improvements at Waunakee Community High School that address current and future educational needs while enhancing safety, security, accessibility, and learning environments for students and staff.

Waunakee Community High School improvements include:

• Additional classrooms to support current programming and future enrollment needs.
• A modernized Agriculture Education area, including classrooms, aquaponics, food science, large and small animal labs, and a greenhouse.
• New Career and Technical Education spaces, including a professional-style culinary classroom and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) classroom.
• Modernized science, digital media, special education, and Library Media Technology Center spaces.
• Renovated performing arts learning spaces to better support student programming.
• A relocated main entrance, administration, and student services area to enhance safety and security.
• Improved interior safety and security through enhanced hallway and door separation during emergencies.
• Improvements to parking, bus, and parent drop-off areas to improve traffic flow and campus access.

South Campus improvements include:

• Relocation of programs (At-Risk and Alternative Education for students in 9-12) currently housed in the TLC building to the South Campus, or existing prior Waunakee Community Middle School building.
• Relocation of outdoor athletic support spaces, including a weight room and locker rooms, closer to outdoor athletic fields.

The former Waunakee Community Middle School is currently being used to support high school programming, including English and culinary classrooms, cafeteria operations, and the gymnastics program in the original gymnasium. 

No decisions have been made regarding the building's long-term use. The Board of Education and administration will continue evaluating future needs across the district to determine how the space can best support students, staff, and district operations. Programs that have been discussed include Food Service, the Wellness Clinic, the High School Alternative Education program, and the Bethel District Office, among other districtwide services. The long-term goal is for all high school students to receive educational programming within a single building at Waunakee Community High School, while the former middle school building is evaluated for future district needs.

Voters are being asked to consider a total not-to-exceed project cost of $97.5 million. This breaks down to approximately $88.7 million for school safety/security improvements, new construction and renovations to  Waunakee Community High School, approximately $4.4 million to renovate the High School South Campus (prior Middle School), and approximately $4.4 million to address outdoor campus athletic fields and facilities.

The general fund supports daily operations across districts in Wisconsin which is mostly consumed by salaries and benefits. In Waunakee, salaries and benefits are roughly ¾ (about 73% for 2026-27) of our general operating budget. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has strict guidelines for the general fund.

The proposed outdoor athletic facility improvements are focused on improving the functionality, accessibility, and safety of the high school outdoor athletic fields/complexes. Planned improvements include upgrades to existing athletic fields, ADA-compliant access, restrooms, spectator amenities, and shelter space for inclement weather. These projects are designed to better support students, families, and community members who use the facilities throughout the year. These improvements are designed to better serve school programs and the broader community for years to come.

The proposed capital referendum represents the final phase of the Waunakee Community School District's long-range facilities plan. Previous referendums addressed the construction of Waunakee Intermediate School, Heritage Elementary School, and the new Waunakee Community Middle School. This third phase focuses on modernizing Waunakee Community High School and completing district priorities to provide consistent, high-quality learning environments and educational experiences for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Wisconsin public schools are funded through a combination of state aid, local property taxes, and federal funding.

The largest sources of funding are:
State Aid: Funding provided by the State of Wisconsin through several formulas.
Local Property Taxes: Levied by the school district to help fund operations.
Federal Funds: A smaller portion of funding that supports specific programs, such as special education, school nutrition, and services for students with additional needs.

Wisconsin public school funding is determined by a state funding formula that applies to all school districts. Individual districts cannot request additional operating funds outside of that formula. If a district needs funding beyond the amount allowed under the state's revenue limits, the only option is to ask local voters to approve an operational referendum.

The general fund supports daily operations across districts in Wisconsin which is mostly consumed by salaries and benefits. In Waunakee, salaries and benefits are 73% of our general operating budget. 

To better understand how Wisconsin's school funding system works, we encourage you to watch this short animated video developed in partnership by the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA), the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO), and Captivate Media.

If both referendum questions are approved, the estimated property tax impact would be:

Operational Referendum: Approximately $17 per $100,000 of estimated fair market value, per year.
Capital Referendum: Approximately $25 per $100,000 of estimated fair market value, per year.
Combined Total: Approximately $42 per $100,000 of estimated fair market value, per year.

Example: For a home with an estimated fair market value of $500,000, the combined estimated property tax impact would be approximately $210 per year (or about $17.50 per month).

The Board of Education has taken steps to help reduce the tax impact on property owners. In the fall of 2025, the Board approved refinancing existing debt, which lowered the district's tax levy by approximately $2.39 million ($2,385,712), reducing the amount collected from taxpayers while continuing to responsibly manage the district's finances.

The district has worked to maximize every taxpayer dollar from previous referendums. Through careful project management, cost savings, and interest earnings, the district successfully constructed Waunakee Intermediate School, built the new Heritage Elementary School and Waunakee Community Middle School, completed district-wide maintenance projects, and funded additional improvements beyond those originally planned without asking taxpayers for additional referendum funding.

The school district has published all financial reports and referendum materials online, hosted multiple public listening sessions, completed independent facility and enrollment studies, shared annual audits and finance monitoring reports, and encouraged public engagement through surveys and listening sessions.

The Waunakee Community School District undergoes an independent third-party financial audit every year to ensure financial records are accurate and district funds are managed responsibly. In addition, the district is required to submit annual financial reports to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), providing ongoing transparency and accountability.

The district uses independent enrollment projections developed by Mark Roffers Consulting as part of its long-range planning process. These projections help the Board of Education make informed decisions about staffing, programming, facilities, and future financial planning. Current enrollment projections and related planning information are available on the district's Business Services webpage.

Maintaining reasonable class sizes helps ensure students receive a high-quality teaching and learning experience that meets the diverse needs of all learners. It allows teachers to provide more individualized instruction, build meaningful relationships with students, adapt to evolving learning styles, and create engaging classroom environments. Reasonable class sizes also support the recruitment and retention of high-quality educators.

The district is committed to attracting and retaining exceptional educators and staff by offering competitive compensation and benefits, fostering a positive and supportive work environment, and providing ongoing professional learning and career growth opportunities. Investing in high-quality staff helps ensure students continue to receive an excellent educational experience.

Our school district remains committed to children, committed to community, and committed to excellence. You can read more about our mission, vision, and equity statements on our district website.

To view our academic reports for the 2024-2025 school year, please visit the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) report cards website. To learn more about our academic progress and offerings, you can visit our Niche profile and our WCSD Data Dashboard  for our school district.
 

The proposed high school projects represent Phase III of the district's long-range facilities plan, following the successful completion of Waunakee Intermediate School, Heritage Elementary School, and the new Waunakee Community Middle School. Facility priorities were identified through a comprehensive planning process that included facility assessments, enrollment projections, educational programming needs, and input from staff, students, families, and the community to ensure investments align with the district's long-term goals.

If these projects are delayed, students will continue to learn in aging South Campus facilities that were not designed to meet today's educational needs. Outdated classrooms, science labs, and learning spaces would remain in use, limiting opportunities for modern instruction and collaboration. Delaying the project would also leave an inconsistent learning experience across the district, where students benefit from updated learning environments in grades K–8 but transition to older facilities at the high school.

The district has engaged the community throughout the planning process by gathering feedback through a community survey (Spring 2026), community engagement sessions, school tours, Board of Education meetings, and conversations with staff, families, students, and community members. This input, along with enrollment data, financial planning, and facility assessments, has helped shape the proposed referendum questions and priorities.

The district is committed to providing accurate, factual, and timely information throughout the referendum process. Community members can access financial information, planning documents, presentations, frequently asked questions, and meeting materials on the district's referendum webpage, while also attending public information sessions, Board of Education meetings, and school tours to learn more and ask questions.

Community members are encouraged to ask questions, share feedback, and learn more throughout the referendum process. Attend one of our community information sessions or school tours to hear directly from district leaders, ask questions, and see our schools firsthand. Questions and comments may also be submitted by email or through the referendum webpage, where additional resources and updates will be available throughout the fall.

Email: wcsd_communications@waunakee.k12.wi.us 

Please visit our district website for more information. Check back often for updates.

Website: https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/community/2026referendum

Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Yes. More information can be found here about acceptable photo IDs: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/PhotoIDRequired

Please visit this website to learn more about the registration process.

Locate your polling place by visiting the link: Find My Polling Place

Absentee Voting By Mail: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-By-Mail
Absentee Voting In-Person: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-In-Person

The district is committed to ensuring voters have the information to make an informed decision. There are several opportunities still available to learn more about the upcoming operational referendum:

Email: wcsd_communications@waunakee.k12.wi.us 

Visit the website for more information: 

• https://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/community/2026referendum
• Watch the school finance information video located on our website