Voters decide on $1.2M annual funding for De Soto Area School District

STODDARD, Wis. (WKBT) -- As voters in Crawford and Vernon County head to the polls Tuesday, they'll decide whether the De Soto Area School District will get an additional $1.2 million per year for the next four years to help maintain existing programs.

This is the first time in more than 20 years De Soto Area Schools has placed an operational referendum on the ballot, and it follows a difficult year for the district and parents.

It's a simple yes or no question: shall the De Soto Area School district be authorized to exceed its revenue limit by 1.2 million dollars per year over the next four years. Unfortunately, it's not a simple answer.

Dean Peterson doesn't like the tax bill that comes with it.

"I don't think that's going to go through because that's going to be a lot of taxes. I think if they should lower that or figure out another way to fix the problem they have," Peterson explains.

The referendum comes as enrollment declines, inflation increases, and state aid has stagnated. In February, the district faced-off with parents after voting not to renew Stoddard Elementary School Principal Derek Fuglsang's employment contract.

Shortly afterward, Superintendent Linzi Gronning announced her retirement. Despite the difficult press the district's received in the last few months, Carrie Brudos is confident voting for the referendum.

READ MORE: De Soto school board votes not to renew Stoddard Elementary principal's contract

"I'm very confident in my vote tomorrow. I know how I'm going to vote tomorrow. I trust the school know what they're doing, and they'll make the right decisions," Brudos says.

If the referendum passes, the money will ensure that the district can maintain operational expenses and educational programming.

According to Gronning, the referendum comes alongside inflation, declining enrollment and state aid not increasing for education.

Gronning says if it fails, the board will have to look at the expenditures, prioritize federal and state mandates and figure out whether to cut programs or replace staff.

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