Shell Lake to have operating referendum for school

SHELL LAKE — Shell Lake voters will see an operating referendum on the November election ballot for the Shell Lake School District.

At the Monday, July 15 board meeting, while reviewing the 2024-25 and future budgets, Supt. Todd Felhofer said there is a deficit of $805,195 projected for the next academic year, and higher deficits in the following years. This is due to revenue issues, rising operating costs, less reimbursement for special education from the government, declining enrollment and the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds being expended and done.

Felhofer estimated a lower revenue limit than last year, about $6.1 million.

Seventy percent of Wisconsin school districts have been experiencing declining enrollment, so it isn’t unique to Shell Lake, Felhofer said (this district has experienced a slow decline over the last 10 years).

There are two options going forward, Felhofer said: to reduce expenses or increase revenue. Already, the district reduced three staff members, though he noted they were persons who retired or relocated. The driver’s ed program was eliminated, as well, so the cuts were “painless,” he said. There were also some insurance savings this year.

Felhofer said he recommended to go to referendum, as 80% of Wisconsin districts have asked for at least one, if not two, in the last few years.

“This is not a unique situation that Shell Lake finds itself in,” he said.

The proposed referendum for the November ballot asks that the School District of Shell Lake, Washburn, Barronett and Barron counties be authorized to exceed the revenue limit for four years at a total of $$4.2 million. This would be for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing operational costs, including maintaining educational programming and resources, staffing and low-cost maintenance funds. The district would like to maintain a fund balance of 20 to 25%.

The referendum, if it passes in the election, would go into effect for the 2025-26 academic year.

The first year would be an increase of $650,000, followed by $935,000 in 2026-27, $1.2 million in 2027-28 and $1.4 million in 2028-29.

Felhofer said the mill rate is “fairly modest,” projected at $7.71 in 2024-25.

Felhofer said Shell Lake does a good job of providing opportunities in a small district.

The board approved the referendum to exceed the revenue cap commencing with the 2025-26 school year and to provide the question on its approval.

Other action Monday night included:

A presentation by the Spanish Club on their June trip to Costa Rica, where they rode a zipline, went on tours and took cultural classes, visited hot springs and went snorkeling and more.Accepting the retirement of kindergarten teacher Carrie Miller and the resignation of high school math teacher Dennis Bacosa.Transfer of Alli Mazurka from second grade to kindergarten.Approving a Spanish Club trip to Puerto Rico in 2026.Approving the 2024-27 district library plan, the 2024-25 strategic plan and model academic standards and the 2024-25 employee handbook.A raise of 10 cents for student lunch and breakfast service and 15 cents for adults.Scheduling the building and grounds tour.