Operational Referendum Information 2025

Our students and families have greatly benefited from the advanced course options available at our high school. Currently, we offer 8 Advanced Placement (AP) and Cooperative Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) classes each year, with plans to add 2 more CAPP classes in the 2025-2026 school year. These opportunities give our students a competitive edge, allowing them to enter college with earned credits, saving time and money while enhancing their academic readiness.

Average Teacher Salary (2023) Reported by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction

Investing in the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers and staff is essential to supporting student success. Currently, Oakfield ranks in the lower quartile for staff pay compared to nearby districts. To remain competitive and keep our exceptional staff, we must offer compensation comparable to neighboring districts. Our talented team is a cornerstone of our community, and we must ensure they continue to thrive in Oakfield.

Since 1992, Wisconsin school districts have been primarily funded by a combination of state aid and local property taxes. Each school district in Wisconsin has a revenue limit created by the state budget. This limit caps the amount of money a district can receive through state aid and local property taxes. A district’s revenue limit is directly linked to two things: enrollment and state-approved adjustments. In most cases across the state, the revenue limits have not kept pace with inflation. In 2009, the Wisconsin Legislature removed the adjustment for inflation in the revenue limit and caused a decrease in school funding.   

School boards can ask voters to pass an operating referendum. An operating referendum allows the district to raise its revenue limit authority.  Most districts in the state have used operating referendums to meet their budget challenges. 

The School District of Oakfield has had numerous Operating Referendums to ensure the financial stability of the district. We are in need of renewing our current operating referendum of $1.1 million in April of 2025.  

A school district can only place a referendum question on a ballot after going through an official process. The referendum process starts when a school board adopts a resolution to exceed the limit. The permission to exceed the revenue limit can be for either recurring or nonrecurring purposes, i.e., can continue indefinitely or be only for a set period. 

The school district clerk must then submit the referendum to voters at the next primary or general election, as long as at least 70 days pass between the resolution’s adoption and the election.  *Info provided by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau

The school board plays a crucial role in crafting the referendum proposal, setting the funding amount, and determining how the additional funds will be allocated. Board members also communicate with the community to build support.

Oakfield has consistently worked to build a strong educational system, and maintaining the progress we’ve achieved is vital. Ensuring our school buildings remain vibrant, functional spaces for students and staff is a key priority.

In 2022, our community united to pass a $16 million capital referendum. This funding enabled our schools to address critical needs, including:

ADA compliance and monitored and secured entrances to enhance accessibility and safety.

Upgrades to major building systems, such as plumbing, electrical, LED lighting, HVAC, and roof replacements.

Modernization of classrooms and common areas in our Middle and High Schools, offering students access to diverse learning experiences.

Key improvements included:

Modernized shop/tech classroom for welding, woodworking, and auto mechanics.

Dedicated music classrooms, eliminating the need for students to walk between buildings for classes.

A new addition for middle school students, featuring flexible seating and hallway spaces designed for collaborative teacher-student small group work.

Classrooms specifically designed to support the needs and learning of our special education students.

Expanded and redesigned health rooms.

Additionally, extensive upgrades were made to bathrooms, HVAC, lighting, and plumbing, ensuring our facilities remain efficient and conducive to learning.

This investment reflects our commitment to providing a safe, accessible, and innovative environment for all students.

This is a pivotal time for our district, and we deeply appreciate your continued support and involvement as we work to secure the resources necessary to make Oakfield the best small district in Wisconsin. I am committed to fostering a thriving community and ensuring our students receive the highest quality education possible.

The word recurring means “occurring again periodically or repeatedly.” In a recurring referendum, there is an amount of dollars added each year in perpetuity.  The word non-recurring means “not occurring repeatedly or occurring one time only.” In a non-recurring referendum, the amount of dollars is added on a temporary basis (number of years specified).

School districts may initiate two types of referendums to increase funding. First, a district may hold a referendum to issue debt for a specified purpose. These are often referred to as “capital referenda,” because the funds are typically (but not always) for construction and other large capital projects. This is what the community of Oakfield so graciously supported in April of 2022 for the renovation and addition at the Middle School/High School as well as updates at the Elementary School. A capital referendum provides the authority to issue a certain amount of bonds/notes to pay for a capital project.

An operating referendum pays for things such as utilities, routine maintenance, salaries and benefits, supplies, etc. The goal in Oakfield is to not raise taxes but to maintain the funding at our current levels. The District will be seeking the renewal of our current operating referendum that allows us to levy up to $1.1 million dollars beyond the revenue limits.

Our current operating referendum will end at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. This new operational referendum will run for four years from 2025-2029.

April 1, 2025

School district residents can vote at their regular polling location on Tuesday, April 1. 2025. You can find voting and registration information at https://myvote.wi.gov/