Sparta Area School District seeks $1.5 million operational referendum approval

SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT)-- Voters in Monroe and Jackson counties will decide whether the Sparta Area School District will receive a $1.5 million operational referendum next Tuesday. If it passes the funds will be spread out over the next two years to help maintain current staffing levels and maintenance.

In 2022, the Sparta area district asked voters for $2.1 million. The measure failed by forty-two votes, forcing the district to close Cataract Elementary.

Although this year’s referendum is asking for far less, superintendent Sam Russ says even if it passes, he’s still expecting a budget shortfall.

Inflation, declining enrollment and two years without revenue increases from the state have left the Sparta school district in a bind. If next week’s referendum passes, superintendent Russ says there will still be possible reductions.

"Seventy two percent of our budget is staffing so we have to look at our staffing levels. We're looking to use attrition. We're talking about resignations, retirements," said Russ.

The school board estimates the general fund balance to decrease over the next three years and expenses to increase to the point that. Without this year’s referendum, the district would have no use of fund balance by the 2025-2026 school year.

Russ says there won't be layoffs and they’ll do everything they can to keep programs intact.

"We're not looking to reduce opportunities for kids this year anyway at all. We're looking to do things internally delaying things as much as we can."

If the referendum fails, the district will consider another operational referendum in November.