What’s Happening

Lake Country School, like many Wisconsin districts, is navigating a gap between rising costs and limited state funding increases.

Despite careful budgeting and past reductions, the district is approaching a point where maintaining current programing and services requires local support.

This referendum is about stability - not growth.

Why Taxes Feel Confusing Right Now

Many residents are seeing higher property tax bills and assume schools are receiving more funding.

The reality is more complicated.

Some dollars pass through school districts and are legally required to be sent elsewhere. These funds cannot be used to support day-to-day school operations.

2025–26 Pass-Through Dollars

  • Special Education Vouchers: $32,098

  • WI Parental Choice: $108,770

  • Independent Charters: $74,214

  • Total: $215,082

These funds flow through Lake Country School and directly out to other programs. They do not fund classrooms, staff, or daily operations at LCS.

This is one reason tax bills and headlines don’t always reflect what’s happening inside local schools.

Haven’t cuts already been made?

Yes.

Beginning in the 2023–24 school year, Lake Country School has implemented budget reductions totaling approximately $1.6 million in response to ongoing funding challenges.

These reductions were made to operate more efficiently while protecting the classroom experience for students. Further cuts would directly impact class sizes, programming, and student support services.

What this referendum does - and does not do

This referendum:

  • Helps maintain current programs and services

  • Supports reasonable class sizes

  • Keeps decisions local

  • Provides financial stability for the district

This referendum does not:

  • Expand the district

  • Add layers of administration

  • Increase programming beyond what currently exists

Why This Matters Now

Without additional funding, the district faces difficult decisions that would affect the stability and quality of the school experience for students and families.

This vote gives the community the opportunity to decide how best to support its local school. Today and into the future.

The Bottom Line

This referendum is about:

  • Stability, not expansion

  • Transparency, not complexity

  • Local schools and local decisions

We believe our community deserves clear, honest information to make an informed choice.

Questions You May Have

  • Over the past three years, the district has already reduced spending by approximately $1.6 million. Additional cuts would directly affect classrooms, programming, and student services.

  • Some education dollars pass through the district and are legally required to be sent elsewhere. These funds do not support daily operations at Lake Country School, which can make funding appear higher than what is actually available locally.

  • Tax impact varies based on property value. The district has provided estimates to help residents understand what this could mean for their household.

  • This referendum helps Lake Country School maintain current programs and services, protect reasonable class sizes, and provide financial stability. It does not expand the district.

  • State funding has not kept pace with rising costs. After making reductions and operating lean, the district is at a point where additional local support is needed to avoid further cuts that would impact students.

  • No. Lake Country School operates with two administrators - our superintendent and our business manager. This referendum is about maintaining what we have — not growing the district.

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