Referendum Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed referendum?

The Swallow School District is asking voters to consider a non-recurring operational referendum that would authorize the district to exceed the state revenue limit by $500,000 per year for five years.

The additional revenue would be available from the 2026–27 school year through the 2030–31 school year. Because the referendum is non-recurring, the additional authority would end after five years. Wisconsin DPI explains non-recurring revenue-limit exemptions.

Why is Swallow asking for $500,000 per year?

The district’s projected operating gap is greater than $500,000 per year. The proposed amount was selected to address a portion of the district’s financial needs while limiting the impact on taxpayers.

The plan also calls for using a manageable portion of the district’s fund balance while maintaining what the district considers a healthy reserve.

What is the estimated tax impact?

The estimated annual tax impact on a home valued at $800,000 is approximately $241, or about $21 per month.

This is an estimate. The actual impact may vary based on property value, the district’s final tax levy, and other factors affecting the mill rate.

Why is an operational referendum needed?

Wisconsin school districts operate under state-imposed revenue limits that restrict the amount of revenue a district may receive through a combination of state aid and local property taxes.

An operational referendum allows local voters to decide whether the district may exceed that limit by a specified amount for district operations. Learn more about Wisconsin’s revenue-limit formula.

What has Swallow already done to reduce expenses?

According to district budget materials, Swallow has reduced annual spending by approximately $1.3 million over the last several years. Actions have included:

• Renegotiating vendor contracts
• Right-sizing staffing as enrollment declined
• Adding open-enrollment seats to increase revenue while maintaining manageable class sizes
• Implementing energy-efficiency measures, particularly during the summer
• Taking a conservative approach to salary increases and employee benefit costs
• Eliminating educational programming not required by the state
• Reducing classroom budgets
• Using donated educational platforms and technology when available
• Postponing non-emergency building maintenance when appropriate
• Beginning discussions with neighboring districts about consortium-style contracts

Why has some building maintenance been postponed?

Swallow maintains a long-term capital improvement plan and regularly evaluates the timing and urgency of individual projects.

Because the building has been well maintained, the district has been able to extend the timeline for certain non-emergency projects when appropriate. This allows available funding to be directed toward more immediate operational needs.

What role did the community Finance Committee play?

A Finance Committee made up of community members, parents, School Board representatives, and other stakeholders spent more than a year reviewing the district’s finances.

The committee examined district budgets, expenses, revenue, enrollment, staffing, fund balance, and long-term financial needs. It then provided recommendations to the School Board. According to district materials, the committee’s work and the resulting cost reductions helped delay the referendum for two years.

Is Swallow asking for the full amount needed to close the projected gap?

No. The proposed $500,000 annual amount is less than the district’s projected need.

The financial plan combines referendum revenue with continued cost management and the planned use of a portion of the district’s fund balance.

What would the referendum revenue support?

The additional revenue would be used for district operations and current educational programming. This includes the day-to-day costs of operating the school and maintaining existing programs and services.

The proposal is an operational referendum, not a capital borrowing referendum.

Would the referendum permanently change Swallow’s funding?

No. The proposal would provide additional revenue-limit authority for five years. It would not permanently change Wisconsin’s school-funding formula or provide ongoing authority after the 2030–31 school year.

Wisconsin DPI distinguishes non-recurring authority, which expires after a defined period, from recurring authority that continues in future years. Review Wisconsin DPI’s explanation of revenue-limit exemptions.

What happens after the five-year period?

Before the referendum expires, future School Boards and the community will need to evaluate the district’s financial position based on the circumstances at that time.

Possible paths could include:

1. Considering another operational referendum
2. Exploring consolidation or other structural changes
3. Using additional fund balance or considering borrowing
4. Responding to changes in Wisconsin’s school-funding model
5. Identifying additional cost reductions or shared-service opportunities

No decision about those future options has been made.

Are operational referenda unique to Swallow?

No. School districts throughout Wisconsin use operational referenda to ask voters for authority to exceed state revenue limits for a specified purpose and period. Wisconsin DPI maintains statewide information about school district referendum questions and results. View Wisconsin DPI referendum information.

When is Election Day?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Additional voting, registration, absentee-ballot, and polling-place information should be obtained from the Wisconsin Elections Commission or the voter’s municipal clerk.

District-specific amounts, estimates, savings, and committee information are based on Swallow School District referendum and budget materials.