DARLINGTON — The Darlington School District, like other public schools in the state of Wisconsin, receives the vast majority of their revenue from two sources: aid from the state, and local property taxes.
“The amount that a school district receives from the state depends on the total value of the property in that district and the number of students in your district,” said Cale Jackson, Superintendent of the Darlington School District. “Here in Darlington, we receive a lot of aid from the state compared to some other districts.”
The Darlington School District is asking for voters to pass the school referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The district is requesting a recurring $1.9 million dollars for operating expenses per year, starting in 2026. The current school referendum, which has remained unchanged since 2021 when it was last passed by voters, is the result of the state aid deficit that has been ongoing since 2009. For the past 15 years, the Darlington School District has received a financial lag per student against inflation, at a financial deficit cost of $3,300 per student. When multiplied by the 900 students that are in the district, the total tallies $2,970,000, which is more than the proposed referendum. Further, the district employs 140 staff members, which includes teachers, aides, janitorial, maintenance, food service, office and administration staff.
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Revenue Limit Worksheet shows the Darlington School District receiving $8,274,826 from the State of Wisconsin, which is roughly two-thirds of the projected $12,273,883 operating expense for 2023-2024 school year. The new worksheet for the 2024-2025 school year is expected to be updated in October. The worksheet is publicly posted and can be located on the DPI’s website once it is released.
The FEMA tornado shelter addition onto the DEMS building is near completion with 80% of the expenses covered by a FEMA Grant. The other 20% is the responsibility of the Darlington School District.
“When you talk about school finance and making projections for future years, you have to make certain assumptions,” Jackson said. “Those assumptions can have a big impact.”
Key assumptions that are projected in the years ahead include a slight increase per student added to the revenue limit each year, an increase in enrollment, health insurance costs are expected to rise, staff salaries will likely elevate slightly, and property values are expected to increase as well.
“If we continue our referendum at the current level, I am confident we will see a tax rate over the next five years that is flat or decreasing,” Jackson said. “For every dollar we spend at Darlington Schools, we receive about 63 cents back from the State of Wisconsin the following year. It has a big impact on what a referendum does to your taxes.”
The Darlington School Board approved the 2024 school referendum recently. Jackson will be presenting the referendum to the Darlington School Board during its meeting on Sept. 11. The following day, the Darlington School District Facebook page will be sharing the video presentation by Jackson. Voters will have the opportunity to receive further information about the referendum, mill rate projections, along with a better understanding of the financial aspects of the Darlington School District. Public meetings will be scheduled in the future for further financial explanation, as well as question and answer sessions.
Anyone with questions regarding the 2024 Darlington School Referendum can contact Jackson at 608-776-2006 or by email jacksonc@darlington.k12.wi.us.