Myth vs. Fact

FACT: Consolidation is a long, complex, and uncertain process that often takes years.

School district consolidation is not quick. And it is not simple. It is best understood as two completely separate organizations combining into one, not like merging departments within the same business.

A consolidation typically takes multiple years and requires extensive planning, negotiation, and approvals.

What must be aligned before consolidation can occur:

• Two separate school boards

• Two employee contracts and pay structures

• Two student handbooks and policies

• Two curriculums and academic approaches

• Two staffing models

• Two administrative systems

• Two community cultures

Each of these areas must be evaluated, negotiated, and agreed upon before consolidation can move forward.

This process takes time — and there are no guarantees.

Important: Even after all planning is completed, consolidation does not automatically happen.

Learn more about Wisconsin school district reorganization and consolidation requirements:
https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/reorganization

FACT: Consolidation often introduces new costs and uneven tax impacts.

While consolidation is sometimes discussed as a cost-saving option, the financial reality is far more complex.

Key financial considerations include:

• Unequal tax impact
  Typically, one community’s taxes increase while another’s may decrease.

• Shared debt obligations
  Existing debts, capital projects, and financial commitments are combined — regardless of which community incurred them.

• Significant transition costs
  Legal services, consultants, staffing changes, transportation restructuring, and systems integration all add cost.

There is no guarantee that consolidation lowers taxes — and for some families, it may result in higher costs.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction – considerations in district reorganization:

https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/reorganization/considerations

FACT: Consolidation still requires voter approval — and it can be rejected.

Even after years of planning, consolidation must still be approved through a referendum vote involving multiple communities.

This means:

• Voters in all affected districts must agree

• The referendum can fail

• A failed vote sends districts back to the beginning

If consolidation is rejected, districts are left asking: Then what?

Planning alone does not guarantee an outcome.

Wisconsin statutes governing school district reorganization and voter approval:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/117

FACT: There is no single, guaranteed state “backup plan.”

Wisconsin does not have a standardized or automatic solution if a school district becomes financially unsustainable or is unable to operate independently.

Possible outcomes may include:

• Students being dispersed to multiple districts

• Longer transportation times for families

• Loss of local decision-making and community identity

• Decisions made outside the local community

Each situation is handled differently and depends on surrounding districts, timing, and state involvement. Outcomes are uncertain and vary widely.

FACT: The referendum provides stability while long-term solutions are thoughtfully evaluated.

This referendum is designed to provide financial stability while the district evaluates long-term options — including consolidation — from a position of strength rather than urgency.

A stable foundation allows the district and community to:

• Take time to evaluate options

• Engage in transparent planning

• Preserve local input and control

• Avoid rushed or forced decisions

Stability enables better long-term outcomes for students, families, and the community.

FACT: This referendum ensures those conversations happen deliberately and responsibly.

This vote is not about ignoring challenges. It is about ensuring the community has:

• Time to evaluate options

• Accurate information

• A voice in decisions

• A stable foundation for students and staff

Thoughtful planning requires stability.