Información y noticias de BASD

The school district will have an operational referendum on the ballot April 1, 2025.

This referendum is BASD's third time asking the community for dollars relating to operational needs across the district. The first two times the community voted them down. Therefore, BASD has never utilized an operational referendum to assist with financial needs for the school district. The most recent referendum in BASD was for a CAPITAL referendum (which can be used to "build things" - in our case Karcher). An OPERATIONAL referendum is used to cover ongoing costs of the district. Operational referendums have become the "new normal" in the state of Wisconsin in regards to how public schools are to pay for district expenses. This is not a Burlington problem, but a state wide new way/expectation on how to fund public education. That is why over 85% of all districts have asked and are using operational referendum dollars.

Additionally, it is common to talk about the per pupil dollar amount across school districts. What gets tricky about per pupil dollar amounts is that there are about many different ways you can look for or find per pupil dollar amounts for school districts. We believe the best way to analyze per pupil dollar amounts is by using the maximum revenue per member with all exemptions located on the Department of Public Instruction Website. When looking at this number the state average per pupil dollar amount across Wisconsin is $13,363. BASD's per pupil dollar amount is $12,161. We are the second lowest in per pupil spending in our area. Elkhorn sits slightly below us, but they too are asking their community for an operational referendum come April 1.

You will also notice there are communities in "gray" (graph below). Within each of these communities at least one district within their community is asking for a referendum this spring. Burlington, Elkhorn, Delavan-Darien, East Troy, and Williams Bay are the only districts in our area that are K-12 school districts. Meaning, there is one Superintendent for all schools in their community. All other communities have multiple school districts (multiple Superintendents and School Boards) within their communities. For example, Waterford actually has 5 school districts that feed into Waterford Union High School. Where in Burlington, we are ONE district.

If this operational referendum were to pass BASD would fall just under the state average for the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The data below is for the 2024-2025 school year. It is important to note that even districts ABOVE the state average do not believe they have enough dollars to operate for their schools. They too (Waterford, Lake Geneva, and Wilmot Districts) are asking for operational referendums yet fall above the state average. I share this as we are being conservative and just asking to fall close to the state average with this operational referendum.

Due to the referendum failing last year, the district needed to cut $5 million dollars from our budget going into the 2024-2025 school year. The following are all of the cuts that took place, many of which you may have felt or noticed as a family within BASD. None of these cuts are things we wanted to have to do, however, once the operational referendum did not pass (February 2024) we had to execute cuts to balance our budget. We were not "threatening" the community (as I had heard a few times over the past year). We were and are sharing the reality of the funding gap for public education in the state of Wisconsin. We will continue to face a financial cliff without operational referendum dollars to keep programming as we move forward.

The following were the cuts made going into the 2024-2025 school year to balance our budget:

• Closed Lyons Center Elementary School
• Reduced staff by 39 employees (this was on top of previous cuts in the past 2 years with a total in staffing cuts of 54 employees).
• Increased class sizes (class averages were 22, now averages are 28)
• Changed grade configuration
  • Dyer: 4K, 5K-4 (was 4K-5)
  • Waller, Winkler: 5K-4 (was 4K-5)
  • Karcher: 5-8 (was 6-8)
• Redistricted students (4K-4)
• Shortened the school year
  • Student days from 178 to 167
• Increased student registration fees, extracurricular fees, and community use fees
• This was necessary to generate some revenue to help offset the $5 million deficit.
• Decreased building and department budgets
• Reduced fund balance
• Example: A fund balance for districts is like your own checking account. A fund balance is needed to pay for expenses across the district. If you don't have enough money in your checking account you have to short term borrow - that is what the district is having to do, short term borrowing which leads to increased interest payments that could otherwise go to student programming.
• Delayed maintenance
• Example: When you delay an oil change on your own car - over and over again - you may end up with more issues for your vehicle down the road versus taking care of the oil change right away. Because the district is financially tight we are delaying "oil changes" across the district as we do not have enough funds to take care of all of the facility needs across the district. This will, over time, cause larger facility problems and/or larger costs in the future.

• The district needs an operational referendum to pay for day to day expenses. Over the years, inflation has taken place (for everything nation wide). However, dollars to districts have not kept up with the rate of inflation - that is why we are needing dollars to operate.
• When you go to Menards to buy a 2x4, that 2x4 has increased in price since 2009, right?! Because of the state imposed revenue limit we are not able to go above the revenue cap. We cannot just increase how much it costs to educate students (we cannot increase the price of a 2x4 like Menards can because of the state imposed revenue cap).
• However, you have probably heard - wait - I think districts can increase their dollars collected! I have heard or seen that in the news. Yes, districts can increase the per pupil amount through the use of an operational referendum. This would essentially increase the amount of money we have per pupil (increase the cost of a 2x4) to keep up with inflationary costs and ensure our expenses match our revenues.

• So, to figure out what the community would potentially support, the board agreed to use a survey. A survey was sent to Burlington residents in May 2024. The Board and District then used that data to inform our decisions for the third attempt at an operational referendum ask to the community.
• The survey results were statistically significant, meaning, we had enough residents turn in the survey to be considered a valid sample size of the community. This was step number one to ensure we were able to utilize the community survey to inform decisions.
• Then, the board looked to see who took the survey. It was important to note who voted yes or no for the February 2024 referendum as we wanted to capture a good representation from all groups to assist with decision making. The below graph shows that we had a good cross section of the community and were pleased to see that 47% of people who took the survey were non-parents and voted no for the February 2024 operational referendum.

• Additionally, the survey asked if the community would support a non-recurring (has an end date) or a recurring (does not have an end date) referendum. This was important as the district's first operational referendum ask (that did not pass) was a non-recurring referendum. The second operational ask (that did not pass) was a recurring referendum. So, which type of referendum would the community support? The graph below shows that the community (at this time) has shown support for a non-recurring operational referendum.

• The last important piece from the survey was to ask the community what dollar amount would they support? The community was able to give feedback for $6 million, $5 million, or $4 million dollars for an operational referendum.
• 52.5% of the community said they would support a $5 million operational referendum.
• 58% of the community said they would support a $4 million operational referendum.
• The school board unanimously decided to listen to the community feedback from the survey and are putting a 3 year non-recurring $4.6 million operational referendum on the ballot come April 1, 2025 for voters to decide.

• The average projected tax increase is $9 per $100,000 of property value per year.
• You can use THIS tax calculator to determine your tax increase from this operational referendum.

• Address the rise in inflation
• Maintain classroom programs
• Retain / attract high quality staff
• Ensure safe / well-kept schools
• Maintain / reduce class sizes

Below are the community informational meeting dates/times/locations in the event you want to learn more. I (Dr. Jill Oelslager, Superintendent) will present information and allow time for community members to ask questions. Board members may also be in attendance to answer questions.

• February 18th (6:30PM)
• City Council Board Meeting
• February 19th (7:00 AM)
• Community Connections (focus on school funding and budgeting)
• February 19th (7:00PM)
• Community Connections (focus on school funding and budgeting)
• February 26th (7:00 PM)
• Community Informational Session @ District Office
• March 5th (7:00AM)
• Community Informational Session @ District Office
• March 5th (7:00PM)
• Community Informational Session @ District Office
• March 12th (7:00 PM)
• Community Informational Session @ Veterans Terrace
• March 13th (6:30 PM)
• Town of Burlington Board Meeting

BASD REFERENDUM WEBSITE

These units started operating February 1st and are projected to offset approximately $40,000 per year. The district has already installed Data Wrangler Dent meters at Karcher and BHS and project the cost savings between Karcher and BHS to be approximately $100,000 per year.

In total, across all buildings, the total savings would be approximately $140,000 that can shift to Fund 50 freeing up $140,000 within Fund 10.

• The second pupil count that occurs during the year is based on enrollment as of the second Friday in January. This count is used in the state general equalization aid formula. Other pupil count information included in the aid formula are: the September pupil count membership, summer school FTE equivalent, part-time resident FTE equivalent, private school voucher pupils, special needs scholarship pupils, and Independent Charter School new authorizer students.

• Headcount - The headcount is the number of students sitting in seats in a BASD school or an alternate placement that we pay for.

• DPI Count - This is the number that is reported to the state and is our resident count. To get the DPI count, start with the headcount from #1 above, subtract the open enrollments in, and add the open enrollments out.

• Membership - The number used in the state general equalization aid formula is referred to as “membership.” To determine the membership, start with the count reported to DPI in #2 above, and convert certain grade levels to a full-time equivalent (FTE) number. In the formula, early childhood and speech impact students count as .5 FTE and 4K students only count as .6 FTE, even though they are here all day.

• Following is a historical summary of these three ways to look at the pupil count. September is included for comparison purposes as we frequently see an increase in January.

Through a rigorous process, the district has implemented vital protocols, such as training staff in CPR and AED use, ensuring each school is equipped with life-saving tools, and fostering a culture of preparedness. The partnership with Project Adam, an initiative focused on cardiac emergency response, further strengthens the district’s efforts to provide a safe environment for all students. This recognition not only affirms the district’s dedication to student health but also sets a standard for other schools to follow in promoting heart health and emergency readiness.

• Seal-A-Smile’s goal is for all children in Wisconsin to have access to high-quality, school-based oral health prevention services. Dental sealants prevent 80% of cavities in back teeth, where 9 in 10 cavities occur.

• So far, 55 students have taken part in the seal-a-smile program at Winkler.

• In addition all Winkler 5K students participated in an oral health presentation.

• Seal-A-Smile will be taking place across all of our elementary schools in the coming weeks!

• You can read additional information in the Staff Health Services Newsletter.

• BHS Technical Education students had the incredible opportunity to tour the LDVs manufacturing facility! From learning about cutting-edge engineering techniques to seeing real-world applications of skills they’re developing in the classroom, our students gained valuable insights into the world of custom vehicle manufacturing. It was an exciting, hands-on experience that opened their eyes to the endless possibilities in tech and engineering careers! A big thank you to LDV for hosting us and providing such an engaging and educational experience. We can’t wait to apply what we learned to our projects back at BHS!

• We’re thrilled to share that three BSH students of have been featured in the Wisconsin Youth Conservation Congress (YCC). Brody Stratton and Shawn McCann were featured in the December edition and Eva Fix in the January publication! The YCC is an amazing program that educates and empowers young people to become stewards of Wisconsin's natural resources, giving them a voice in conservation and environmental management. We’re so proud of Brody, Shawn, and Ava for being recognized for their dedication and passion for preserving our state’s beautiful environment! Keep up the great work!

• Burlington High School hosted 8th Grade Open House and had a fantastic turnout! Our team couldn't be more excited about the bright future ahead for our soon-to-be BHS students. Our BHS team shared that it was great connecting with families, showcasing the amazing opportunities BHS has to offer, and catching a glimpse of the next generation of Demons!

Burlington Alternative School (FRC, Project WIN, PAC House)

• Project WIN (What I Need)
• Project WIN was excited to have their 3rd high school graduate of the school year! Our recent graduate not only attended school full time to earn his diploma but was also working full time at Pizza Ranch here in Burlington! Project WIN staff could not be more proud of him for earning his diploma AND being a productive member of the community!

Cooper Montessori School

• Cooper Montessori had the opportunity to engage with and listen to the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra. They were introduced to the different instrument families and were challenged to hear how the same instrument can play different melodies.

Dyer Elementary School

• 3rd graders participated in Lego robotics activities during a STEM library lesson. All students were able to build carnival rides that had a variety of movements and enjoyed developing their projects!

Karcher Middle School

• The 8th grade class went on their annual Outdoor Education overnight field trip at Camp Timberlee in East Troy. Students engaged in learning about the outdoors such as how to build campfires, learning how to ice fish, working with leather, identifying animals, as well as engage in other team building activities. Outdoor Education has been a long standing tradition and amazing experience for BASD students over the years.

Waller Elementary School

• Over the past few weeks, Waller Elementary has been full of activities. Our 1st and 2nd-grade students put on a fantastic music concert, showcasing their hard work and talent.

• To start the new year on a positive note, our 4th-grade student ambassadors organized a Welcome Back/Reboot Assembly during the first week after break. They did a wonderful job leading the school in setting expectations for success while building enthusiasm for the months ahead. Their leadership and dedication to fostering a positive school culture has been wonderful.

• Later in the week, Waller will spread even more joy with Valentine’s Day festivities, giving students a chance to celebrate friendship and kindness with their classmates.

• In addition to all the fun and celebrations, our staff continues to focus on student achievement. Waller staff conducted data meetings to ensure that all target group students have clear, strategic plans in place to support their academic growth. These conversations are essential in helping staff tailor instruction and interventions to meet individual student needs.

Winkler Elementary School

• During the week of January 27th staff recognized students who have shown improvement in academics, behavior and attendance. Staff reached out to families to inform them of their students' positive efforts! Additionally, throughout the week of Feb. 5th Winkler also recognized a group of students who have shown increased effort, improved attendance and lunch/recess behaviors and students who are consistently having a positive influence on others.




• Winkler 3rd graders are working on writing and adding more adjectives or descriptive words to their writing. They each chose items from our Lost and Found table to write about and then hosted a fabulous fashion show. Mrs. Dummer and Mrs. DeCheck read the descriptions while the students enthusiastically displayed each item to be reunited with its owner. Nearly all of the items have been claimed! Items not claimed will be taken to Love Inc. next week. This is SUCH a clever and fun way to engage our students in writing and get items back to those they belong to! What a great idea Winkler staff!

BHS

$250 - Baseball - William Milatz

$950 - Ice Fishing - BASD Foundation

$424 - Ice Fishing - Burlington Baseball 2000 Inc.

$1,650 - Koral Klub - The Brown Family

Building materials, shingles, and siding for the Tech Ed classes with an estimated value of $2,000 - ABC Supply Co. Inc

$250 - WBSD - Anderson Chiropractic Office

$500 - WBSD - C & N Drywall and Painting

$350 - WBSD - Bubba's Brickyard

$500 - WBSD - Experience Burlington

$21,850 - Shear machine for the BHS Welding Academy - LDV

$2,000 - Wrestling - Burlington Wrestling Club

Cooper

$50 Gift card - Cooper PTO - Lakes Area Gymnastics

Karcher

Clothing, hair products, accessories, snacks and food with an estimated value of $100 for the Karcher Cupboard - Burlington United Methodist Church.

Deodorant with an estimated value of $40 - Karcher Cupboard - Gianoni Family

Waller

Classroom supplies with an estimated value of $75 - Joel and Jessica Molitor

Special Needs Resource Fair

$75 - Communities of Crocus, Inc

$75 - Dose Health, LLC

$75 - KP Therapy & Wellness LLC

$75 - Pink Umbrella Theater Company LLC

$75 - WI Facets

Thank you for all of the donations to BASD!!! We sure do appreciate the communities generosity!!!

Thank you to the High School staff who attended on Monday night to have dinner with the board prior to the board meeting. The school board always appreciates the ability to engage with staff, ask you all questions, and further understand the inter-workings of BASD. Thanks again to those who came to talk with the board and support your school improvement plan!

Here is a link to the BHS presentation. Thank you to the BHS Team for sharing all the amazing things happening at BHS!

Here is a link to the presentation and information about WBSD's 50th anniversary celebration.

Ruth Schenning (Executive Director of Business Services) and I did some digging into the historical data in regards to actual tax bill information and it is very interesting to look at. I am working on putting together a separate newsletter that talks specifically about tax bill information so we can share it with families and the community. Therefore, you won't see information at this moment within this newsletter but be on the look out for tax bill information from the district in the coming days/weeks!

The Policy Committee met on January 15th to review the following policies that the School Board read for the first time at the February 10th meeting. The Policy Committee recommended that the Board accepted the following policies and their revisions noted in BoardDocs. If you click on the policies the recommended changes are noted in green (to be accepted) and/or red (to be removed).

Policy #0164 - Meetings - Common/Union High Schools Only (Revised)

Policy #2131 - Educational Outcome Goals and Expectations (Revised)

Policy #2340 - District-Sponsored Trips (Revised)

Policy #4140 - Termination and Resignation (Revised)

Policy #4161 - Unrequested Leaves of Absence/Fitness for Duty (Revised)

Policy #4211 - Whistleblower Protection (Revised)

Policy #5250 - Program or Curriculum Modifications (New)

Policy #6325 - Procurement Federal Grants / Funds (Technical Correction)

There were no items for action at this School Board meeting.

Committee updates since last board meetings. I put a little information below to assist with reminding everyone as to what our focus was to help you with your update!

• Policy Committee - Paul Kovernick, Chair
• Met on January 15th
• Reviewed the regularly assigned 7 policies along with technical updates and revisions suggested from NEOLA.
• Buildings & Grounds Committee - Rosanne Hahn, Chair
• Met on January 16th.
• Discussed the 5-10-year capital improvement plan, along with the facility fees and usage.
• Teaching & Learning Committee - Aubrey Thompson, Chair
• Met on January 30th.
• Visited several Burlington High School classes to observe the math curriculum implementation.
• Personnel Committee - Noah Strohm, Chair
• Met on February 5th to approve the appointment as well as the resignations, retirements and terminations since the last School Board meeting.
• Board Governance/Communication - Marlo Brown, Chair
• We will be meeting on February 12th to draft a communication for the Standard Press in relation to the operational referendum.
• Finance Committee - Peter Turke, Chair
• We will be talking about how the budgets for departments and schools are allocated at our next meeting on March 3.

• Policy Committee meeting - Wed, February 12th @ 5:30 pm
• Board Governance & Communication Committee meeting - Wed, February 12th @7:00 pm
• Community Connections Series - Wed, February 19th @ 7:00 am and @ 7:00 pm
• Finance Committee meeting - Monday, March 3rd @ 5:00 pm
• Community Connections Series - Wed, March 5th @ 7:00 am and @ 7:00 pm
• Personnel Committee meeting - Wed, March 5th @ 1:00 pm - CLOSED SESSION (Virtual)
• Teaching & Learning Committee meeting - Fri, March 7th @ 1:30 pm
• School Board meeting - Monday, March 10th @ 6:30 pm

BASD Proud,

Dr. Jill Oelslager, Superintendent

Taylor Wishau, Board President

Marlo Brown, Vice President

Paul Kobernick, Clerk

Peter Turke, Treasurer

Rosanne Hahn, Board Member

Noah Strohm, Board Member

Aubrey Thompson, Board Member

• January 2025
• December 2024
• November 2024
• October 2024
• September 2024
• August 2024
• July 2024
• June 2024