Plum City Referendum Forum

September 25, 2024

Our Mission: To create a school environment where all students feel safe, valued, and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Becky Fortney

Elementary Principal

Curriculum Director

​

State Report Card 2022 - 2023

Absenteeism

Courses Offered

FastBridge

Universal Screener

ELA Scores

​

FastBridge

Universal Screener

Math Scores

​

Fastbridge

Universal Screener

Math Scores

​

Fastbridge

Universal Screener

ELA Scores

​

Programming for Our Students

• Professional Learning Communities
• Intentional Data Tracking
• WI Academic Standards
• WIN Time: Intervention / Extension
• Bridges and Illustrative Math Adoption
• CKLA Reading Adoption
• Coaching
• Early Literacy Remediation Plans / Comprehensive Literacy Plan

​

Kari Weiss

• Thank you!
• Supporting the Steering Committee
• Community Member Returned
• What makes me stay?

Erin Clare

School Board President

Referendums throughout Plum City’s history

12/1/1993 - $1,150,000 Capital Referendum to add on Middle School - PASSED

11/2/1999 - $2,410,000 Capital Referendum to renovate Elementary - PASSED

4/1/2008 - $1,050,000/3 years ($350K/yr) Operating Referendum - FAILED

11/8/2016 - $2,000,000 Capital Referendum to improve buildings - PASSED

$1,500,000/5 years ($300K/yr) Operating Referendum - PASSED

11/3/2020 - $2,500,000/5 years ($500K/yr) Operating Referendum - FAILED

4/5/2022 - $3,300,000/3 years Operating Referendum - PASSED

2016 Capital Referendum Improvements

• Boilers, in both schools
• Roof, on both schools
• Windows and lights in both schools
• Update of the High School Science Room
• 2 new busses
• Updated curriculum
• Updated HVAC controls from vacuum to electric

2020 Referendum Items, based on Strategic Plan

• Increased teacher salaries = better retention of our great teachers, as well as increased ability to hire
• Transcripted CVTC classes
• Shop
• Business
• Child Care
• Safety
• Front Door locks, and video monitoring
• Fobs for all doors
• Door magnets on interior doors
• Video cameras on bus arms
• HVAC controls for extra protection
• Provide a District-owned device for all students and staff
• Smartboard in every classroom (John found deals!)
• Chromebooks for every student

​

​

2024…….

In the past 4 years, we have seen price increases in the following areas

• Insurance
• Fuel
• Electricity
• Audits
• Purchased Services up due to Software (some mandated)

As well as a need for continued updates on our buildings & grounds.

• Bus Garage Roof Replacement
• Bus

​

Actual Wording on the Ballot - November 5, 2024

Question: Shall the School District of Plum City, Pierce and Pepin Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,750,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $1,900,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, by $2,050,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, and by $2,200,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of facility maintenance and operational expenses?

Note: Directions for absentee voting can be found on the District’s website

​

To the left is a mill rate comparison, averaged over last 8 years, between our district and other similarly sized districts in the area.

Without a school in Plum City….

• You will not see a decrease in your taxes - you will just be paying them elsewhere
• You will have less voice in how your taxes will be utilized
• Property values will decrease
• The children in our community will spend more time being bussed further, both for the school day, and any extracurricular activities
• Our town will fade away…….

Renee Peterson

Finance Manager

​

​

​

​

​

The State Of Our District

Total Revenue in 16/17 was 3,943,127.74, Total Revenue in 23/24 was 5,014,214.95. Included in the 5 Million is 154,718 of ESSER and 44,460 of one time Grants.

Revenue has increased only 27.16% since 2016/17. If you take out the ESSER funds and one time Grants in 2023/24 the increase would only be 23.13%

​

​

From 16/17 to 23/24 there has been a 46% increase in Salary and Benefits. Health Insurance alone increased 42%

District Liability Insurance has increased 79.57% from 2016/17 to what we have been invoiced in 2024/25.

16/17 cost was $50,341.36 and the invoice for 24/25 is $90,396

How Did We Come Up With The Referendum Amounts?

Negative Impacts of Current Funding

Next are concerns as a result of the current funding model

How are districts coping?

What can districts do?

Learn More!

Visit our website to learn more about the referendum.

Visit our website at

plumcity.k12.wi.us or scan below.