cambridge

2023 Referendum Information

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Stay Updated—Join us for REFERENDUM COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS!

  • 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

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

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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

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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

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