December 18, 2025 - During the December 15 Board of Education meeting, board members unanimously voted to put a referendum question on the April 7, 2026, General Election ballot. The board approved a question to address the need for additional operating funds.
April 7, 2026, Operational Referendum Ballot Question:
Shall the School District of Reedsburg, Sauk and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin, be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,500,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year and ending with the 2029-2030 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses of the District?
These funds will be used for:
- Filling projected budget deficits in each of the four years as a result of shortfalls in state funding;
- Maintaining and expanding on our current focus to provide rigorous academic programs and career pathways for all students;
- Keeping class sizes as low as possible;
- Continuing to attract and retain high-quality staff;
- Addressing the most urgent maintenance needs at Webb Middle School.
"By placing this operational referendum on the ballot, we are taking a crucial step to ensure that our students continue to receive the high-quality education they deserve,” said Superintendent Tom Burkhalter. “This funding will not only help us address immediate budgetary challenges, but also maintain our facilities. I encourage our community to engage in this important conversation and support our mission to inspire and empower every student."
Community Survey Results:
This fall, the School District of Reedsburg distributed a community-wide survey to district residents to gather feedback following the mixed referendum results in 2024. In its effort to provide an unbiased and transparent approach, the District engaged a third party, the Donovan Group, to independently administer and analyze the data. The survey results were provided to the Board of Education during a special meeting on December 1, 2025, and presented during the monthly board meeting on December 15, 2025.
The community survey asked district residents to provide input on:
- Feedback after the 2024 Mixed Referendum Results
- Potential Future Operational Referendum Options
- Webb Middle School Long-Term Facilities Options
- Full-Day 4K Configuration
The survey had 1,100 respondents, which is a very good response rate according to the Donovan Group. To view the entire community survey report, visit the district website.
“Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey,” said School Board President Gary Woolever. “Community input is crucial for shaping the future of the School District of Reedsburg. We are committed to continuing to build trust with our community.”
Survey Findings:
Recent survey results from the School District of Reedsburg indicate strong satisfaction and awareness among community members about the district’s needs and challenges. Eighty-five percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the district, while 82% demonstrated familiarity with its financial challenges. These figures represent some of the highest satisfaction levels recorded for school districts in the region.
Despite this overall satisfaction, the recent 2024 operational referendum failed to gain traction. Key reasons identified by respondents included ineffective communication of district needs, concerns about the tax impact, and a lack of detailed budget information. Further insights revealed a community desire for clearer explanations and greater transparency, alongside concerns about personal financial pressures.
Notably, 87.91% of respondents agree that the district's financial needs must be addressed, highlighting a significant potential for support in future referendums. The survey presented two financial options for consideration: the first, a $2 million-per-year operational referendum for four years with no projected tax increase, which received support from 76.4% of respondents. The second option, proposing a tax increase of $19 per $100,000 to fund a $2.5 million annual budget, garnered 63.4% support, indicating robust backing for both proposals.
The survey also explored long-term facility options for Webb Middle School, with the majority preferring to build a new 6–8 middle school at 36.5%. Alternative options, including renovating the existing school, building a 5-8 middle school, or building a new high school, were considered but received less support.
When analyzing full-day 4-year-old Kindergarten (4K) configurations, responses indicated a preference to continue 4K at both the Westside and Pineview neighborhood schools.
Next Steps:
Over the next few months, the community will have numerous opportunities to learn more about the proposed referendum question. Residents can also visit the district webpage, email questions to referendum@rsd.k12.wi.us, or contact the Central Office at (608) 524-2016.
The School District of Reedsburg remains steadfast in its commitment to providing a world-class educational experience for all students at all levels. We strive to inspire creativity, innovation, and a desire to achieve greatness.
