Myth vs. Fact:
Understanding the LCS Referendum Conversation
When communities care deeply about their schools, questions and assumptions come with the territory. This page is here to bring clarity, calm, and confidence to the conversation. With facts based on district data and Wisconsin law, not rumors or Facebook threads.
Myth #1:
“LCS mismanaged money.”
Fact:
LCS has reduced more than $1.6 million in the past three years through staffing, program restructuring, and benefit redesign. The financial challenge comes from state revenue limits that haven’t kept pace with inflation, not local decisions. This is a statewide issue, not an LCS-specific one.
Myth #2:
“If LCS just cuts a few things, we’ll be fine.”
Fact:
LCS has already made years of reductions. The remaining gap is structural, not discretionary. Cuts alone cannot keep up with rising costs and flat revenue limits. Which is why over half of Wisconsin districts rely on operational referendums simply to maintain services.
Myth #3:
“We should just consolidate right now.”
Fact:
Consolidation is a multi-year, state-defined process involving governance, contracts, curriculum alignment, and yes votes from both communities. It cannot be done quickly or unilaterally. The referendum provides the stability and time required to pursue consolidation responsibly.
Myth #4:
“A referendum means new programs or expansion.”
Fact:
This referendum is not for new programs, new positions, or expansions. It is a non-recurring operational referendum. Designed to maintain current staffing, programs, and day-to-day operations during a period of transition.
Myth #5:
“This will massively increase taxes.”
Fact:
Based on the district’s current estimates, the annual impact is:
$100,000 home: $13/year (about $1.10/month)
$300,000 home: $39/year (about $3.25/month)
$500,000 home: $65/year (about $5.40/month)
$1,000,000 home: $130/year (about $10.85/month)
For many households in our community, that’s a few dollars a month to keep LCS stable, staffed, and locally guided.
Small, predictable, and temporary.
Myth #6:
“If the referendum fails, nothing happens right away.”
Fact:
District projections show LCS’s fund balance becoming negative by 2028–29 without new revenue. Something not allowed under Wisconsin law. If the referendum fails, reductions will need to happen immediately and will affect staffing, class environments, and programs.
Myth #7:
“State aid will eventually fix this.”
Fact:
For most households, the estimated cost is roughly $1-2 per month — about the cost of one coffee.
$100K home → $13/year
$300K home → $39/year
$500K home → $65/year
$1M home → $130/year
Small, predictable, and temporary.
Myth #8:
“LCS is an isolated case.”
Fact:
Far from it.
This challenge is statewide. Neighboring districts, including many Arrowhead feeders, have already passed operational referendums to maintain stability. LCS is simply reaching the point many schools faced years ago.
Our Community Deserves Clarity
Information moves quickly, especially during times of change. This page is designed to give our community clear, grounded answers based on district data, Wisconsin policy, and the realities facing schools across the state.