Madison Reporter

This fall, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) joins 121 other Wisconsin school districts with referendums on the ballot. MMSD is seeking voter approval for a $100 million operations referendum aimed at building sustainable revenues. This funding would support staffing to attract and retain high-quality teachers and employees, educational programming like early learning/4K, well-rounded student opportunities, and improvements in culture and climate. Staff salaries and benefits make up about 80% of the district's annual budget.

Over the past decade, state funding has not kept pace with inflation, creating significant financial gaps for Wisconsin school districts. For MMSD alone, this gap amounted to $21 million last year in per pupil funding.

Additionally, state funding covers only 31% of special education costs, leaving MMSD responsible for covering the remaining expenses—an estimated $66 million in the 2023-24 period. These services are legally required, forcing the district to use funds from its general fund to cover these costs. Statewide, there is a $1.5 billion funding gap.

The district also faces challenges with early learning funding; while offering full-day four-year-old kindergarten, it receives only 50% of necessary funding from the state. The Board of Education continues investing in early learning to ensure young learners have a strong start.

Record increases in allocations to private and independent charter schools by the state government further strain public schools financially. By law, MMSD must allocate nearly $11 million of public tax dollars to support these institutions.

In addition to operational needs, MMSD seeks approval for a $507 facilities referendum to address aging schools requiring urgent updates for modernized spaces that enhance student learning. This involves renovating or rebuilding ten school buildings with upgrades in heating, cooling, plumbing, accessibility, and safety.

More than half of MMSD’s 52 schools are over 60 years old and need critical updates. Forty schools received grades of C or D on the 2023 Facilities Condition Report. The facilities referendum focuses on five middle schools, one alternative high school, and four elementary schools based on geographic location throughout Madison and priority given to buildings with critical HVAC and plumbing needs.

The regular budget for facilities maintenance is about $5 million annually but is insufficient for major renovations or upgrades.

The estimated financial impact of the cumulative $100 million operations referendum translates into an incremental increase of $26 per month during the first year for an average Madison home valued at $457,300. This base revenue begins with $30 million in year one and two each, followed by $20 million in years three and four. By 2027-28's end after four years fully annualized estimate rises to $87 monthly. For facilities referendum taxpayers face a charge amounting approximately twenty-seven dollars monthly over twenty-three years starting autumn next when initial project commences based upon current home valuations: "Calculate your tax impact at our website."