1. Assess the facility needs (safety, deferred maintenance, ADA compliance, educational adequacy).

2. Develop a strategic plan that includes staff, community, leadership, and board voice.

3. Assess the financial ability of the district to meet the needs and desires of both the facility study and strategic plan.

4. Make changes to staffing and programming to streamline the size of a potential referendum.

5. Propose a referendum question that bridges the gap between budget alterations already made and what is needed.

6. Educate the community about MHLT’s goals and how it plans to accomplish those goals.

7. Pass the referendum and do what we said we were going to do (i.e. follow-through).

Shall the Joint School District Number 1, Towns of Minocqua, Hazelhurst and Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $3,500,000 beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses, maintenance expenses, and debt service for capital improvements?

• Staff & Daily Operations

  • Retain and attract quality teachers and support staff to maintain smaller class sizes

  • Maintain current special education staff

  • Maintain facilities cleaning staff and services

• Top-Notch Programming

  • Maintain Tech Ed programming

  • Explore course variety for all ages and abilities

  • Expand sports and activity offerings

• Safety & Security Enhancements

  • Nurse’s office remodel for improved comfort and privacy

  • Card access improvements

  • Phone system upgrades

  • Emergency generator replacement and relocation

• Building & Infrastructure Improvements

  • HVAC upgrades

  • Electrical panel replacement

  • Technology cabling upgrades

  • Exterior door and frame replacement

  • Masonry repairs

  • Site drainage improvements

  • Exterior canopy improvements

  • High priority floor, ceiling, door and casework updates

  • Kindergarten toilet room remodel
    

INVESTING IN OUR FIREBIRD FUTURE.

In recent years reductions have been made to avoid going to referendum, however we’ve reached a point where the needs now exceed what MHLT can reasonably cut from the annual budget.

This November 3 ballot question will ask voters to approve a recurring $3.5 million referendum with an approximate tax impact of $0.66 per $1,000 of property value.

WhatWillItCostImage

• Wisconsin’s School funding formula has not kept pace with inflation, which means even maintaining the current level of services has now required going to referendum

• This is a statewide funding challenge causing MHLT and districts all across the state to seek community approval for operational referendums to increase funding

MHLT has not gone to referendum since 2006!

The community has consistently expressed confidence in the district’s management of funds over the past two decades. The time has come, however, where our current budget isn’t able to meet the needs of our students. With inconsistent state funding and declining enrollment MHLT is turning to its community for the first time in 20 years.

While the district has already made efforts to reduce costs including staff reductions, limited bus routes, eliminating free breakfast for all, increasing meal prices, altering post-employment benefits, it still falls short.

If the referendum does not pass MHLT will need to:

• Make further staff reductions ultimately increasing class sizes,

• Reduce services and program flexibility

• Reduce course offerings/student experiences

• Defer more maintenance (facilities & technology)

• Collect student fees for various programs/services

• The public school funding model Wisconsin established in 1993 was designed to empower local voters to decide how to fund their district rather than automatically keeping pace with increasing costs through state funding and automatic tax levy increases. 

• Since then, education funding from the State Legislature has not kept pace with inflation, causing school districts across Wisconsin to navigate serious funding issues. The gap between rising costs and insufficient state funding is necessitating more districts to turn to voters to maintain operations and meet capital needs.

Election day voting is November 3, 2026.

• Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm 

For information about your polling place, voter registration, or early in-person and absentee voting please visit MyVote.wi.gov for more information.