Monday, February 20, 2023 @ 5 pm, Cambridge High School Library
Monday, March 20, 2023 @ 5 pm, Cambridge High School Library
Additional presentations will occur during regularly scheduled community
meetings INCLUDING Village of Cambridge, Town of Oakland, Town of Christiana,
Lions CLUB, FFA Alumni, PTO, Senior Luncheon, CAP Board, Cambridge
Foundation, Cambridge Community Library, Cambridge Historic School
Foundation. A schedule of presentations is posted at the district website.
For more information visit cambridge.k12.wi.us or contact District Superintendent,
Dr. Marggie Banker, phone: 608-423-4345 or email: mbanker@cambridge.k12.wi.us
2023 Referendum Information
Stay Updated—Join us for REFERENDUM COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS!
This money will go towards...
Curriculum updates – math, reading, science and social studies
Technology updates – 1-to-1 personalized learning
School based budgets – learning materials for students
Maintaining class sizes
Maintaining school programming
Maintaining school safety measures
Employee recruitment and retention of high-quality staff
Professional staff development
Sustaining programs and staff when COVID relief funding ends
Offsetting rising Consumer Price Index costs (utilities, water, insurance, etc.)
Transportation contract increases
Rising energy costs
Facilities projects – roof and parking lot repairs
Nikolay Middle School heating and cooling system repairs
Mill Rate History
The chart below represents the steady decrease of the mill rate during the last 7 years as the District worked to control costs and limit tax increases. The potential 2024 mill rate with a successful referendum is still lower than the 2020 tax rate.
Year | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Potential 2024 Rate |
Mill Rate | $12.82 | $11.87 | $10.56 | $10.23 | $9.38 | $9.12 | $8.88 | $9.65 |
What is the tax impact of a successful 2023 referendum?
The mill rate is expected to go up by 77 cents per $1,000 of fair market property value. Below are examples of estimated (Est.) property tax impacts:
Property Value | Est. Annual Tax Increase | Est. Monthly Tax Increase |
$100,000 | $77 | $6.42 |
$200,000 | $154 | $12.83 |
$300,000 | $231 | $19.25 |
WHY IS A RECURRING REFERENDUM NEEDED?
During the last decade State revenue has not kept up with rising operating costs.
A recurring referendum provides stable funding for ongoing operating budget needs. This supports continued excellence in all Cambridge schools.
In addition, certain programs and staffing supported by COVID relief grants expire this year, resulting in a budget shortfall.
The 2.4 million "recurring" dollars provide the District with statutory authority to levy up to the $2.4 million dollars when needed to sustain district operations.
Depending on financial conditions the District may not need to levy that full amount.
The term " recurring " means on-going and does not expire. Revenue approved by referendum is added to the School District’s revenue limit beginning with the 2023-2024 school year and remains as part of the revenue limit per year.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REFERENDUM DOES NOT PASS?
The School Board would prioritize operating budget reductions for the 2023-24 school year which include all of the following:
Eliminate 10+ staff positions
Increase class sizes
Decrease course offerings
Decrease academic, co-curricular and athletic programs
Delay technology/equipment purchases
Delay facility maintenance – roof project, parking lot repairs, Nikolay
Middle School heating & cooling system repairs
Reduce ability to retain and attract high quality staff
Reduce/deplete fund balance
