Waupun Area School District
February 21, 2025
District Administrator Dr. Steven Hill
WAUPUN — The Waupun Area School District (WASD) has always taken great pride in providing a high-quality education for our students. Strong schools are a thriving community’s foundation, helping attract families, strengthen property values, and prepare our students for successful futures. However, the way schools are funded in Wisconsin has not kept pace with rising costs, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the level of education our community expects and deserves.
For over 30 years, Wisconsin’s revenue limit law has locked school districts into spending levels set in 1993, with no adjustment for inflation or the changing needs of students. Waupun’s base revenue per student is $11,325—below the state average of $12,351 and significantly lower than what private voucher schools receive for students in grades 9-12 ($12,387 per student).
Despite careful budgeting, rising costs in key areas continue to put a strain on district resources:
Challenges Facing Our Schools
- * Special Education Costs: The state reimburses only 30.5% of required special education expenses, leaving the district to cover the remaining 70% from its general fund. Additionally, under the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP) requirements, WASD must conduct reevaluations for students who live outside the district but attend private schools. The district also allocates equitable services funding to private schools to support students who qualify for special education services.
- * Increased Student Needs: The cost of providing alternative placements for students with higher support needs has risen dramatically—up 342% since 2020-21, from $147,807 to $653,885. To put this into perspective, just six students require specialized services that exceed $445,000. While we are committed to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive, these rising costs significantly strain our budget and impact the resources available for all students.
- * Staffing & Inflation: While school revenue has increased by only 1-3% per year, the state’s own ceiling for wage increases has been significantly higher—8% in 2023-24 and 4.12% in 2024-25. This gap makes it increasingly difficult to offer competitive salaries that help us retain and attract high-quality staff. Employee health benefits have risen by $676,866 (28.4%) from 2020-21 to 2024-25, increasing from $2,385,605 to $3,062,471. This increase has occurred despite proactive plan design changes aimed at minimizing premium hikes while still providing a competitive benefits package comparable to other districts. Investing in our teachers and staff is essential for maintaining the strong, supportive learning environment that Waupun families expect. Still, these rising costs add to the financial pressures our district is facing.
- * Technology & Security: Investments in updated technology and cybersecurity have become necessary to keep students safe and prepared for the modern world. WASD addressed this with a budget increase from 20/21 to 24/25 of $507,343, or a 43% increase. Our 2021 budget was $1,180,636 while the current budget is $1,687,979.
A Thoughtful Approach to Funding
The school board has put forward a three-year, non-recurring operational referendum to help ensure that WASD can continue to provide the quality education that families expect.
Referendum Resolution Language
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT BY $900,000 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Waupun Area School District, Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties, Wisconsin, that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $900,000 per year for three years, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year and ending in 2027-2028. These funds would be used for operational and maintenance expenses, including facility upkeep, maintaining small class sizes, sustaining and expanding educational programming, and supporting staff salaries and benefits.
Adopted and recorded January 13, 2025.
What Would This Mean for Taxpayers?
One of the most important questions for homeowners is how this would impact property taxes. The previous referendum had a tax impact of $57.18 per $100,000 of home value. The estimated cost of this request is $52.52 per $100,000 of home value—a decrease.
Why This Matters for Waupun
Great schools are at the heart of a strong community. They help attract families, support local businesses, and ensure that Waupun remains a place where people want to live and work. Without stable funding, the district faces difficult choices that could impact:
- * Class sizes and student learning opportunities.
- * The ability to attract and retain quality teachers.
- * Access to extracurricular programs that enrich students’ experiences.
- * Necessary building maintenance and improvements.
Wisconsin’s investment in K-12 education has fallen compared to other states—once ranked 11th in per-pupil spending in 2002 (11% above the national average), the state has dropped to 25th place in 2022 (7.2% below the national average). Rural districts like Waupun often receive less state funding per local tax dollar than urban areas, making local decisions even more critical.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
The district encourages residents to stay informed and be part of the conversation about the future of Waupun’s schools. To learn more about school funding, the upcoming referendum, and how these decisions impact students and the community, visit: https://www.waupun.k12.wi.us/page/2025-operating-referendum
If you’re interested in having Dr. Hill present to your group, please contact Trisha Visser at tvisser@waupun.k12.wi.us or 920-324-9341 to schedule a date and time.
For more information, please contact:
Steven K. Hill, Ed.D
District Administrator
shill@waupun.k12.wi.us
920-324-9341
