2026 OPERATIONAL REFERENDUM

STUDENTS. STAFF. SCHOOLS.

8.25.26 REFERENDUM ANNOUNCEMENT

Hello Gillett School District Residents

The Gillett School Board has unanimously voted to place an operational referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot to help the district maintain the quality education our students and families expect. Like school districts across Wisconsin, Gillett continues to face rising costs while state funding has not kept pace with inflation. This has created a growing gap between the resources available and what is needed to retain experienced staff, sustain current programs and services, and keep average student-to-staff ratios at a level that supports learning.

The district has taken this request seriously. Over the past two school years, the board and administration have made difficult reductions and identified more than $695,000 in cost savings. Even with these efforts, additional funding is needed to provide long-term stability. Without it, the district would face deeper cuts that could affect staffing, class sizes, student services, and educational opportunities.

This referendum is about protecting what matters most: meaningful opportunities for students, dedicated staff, and strong schools.

MAINTAIN PROGRAMMING & STUDENT/STAFF RATIOS

  • The Board has made structural cuts over the past two school years which included staff restructuring:

    • Cut a 4K teaching position

    • Reduced two paraprofessional positions over two years.

    • Reduced OT/PT support staff

    • Partnered with Bonduel School District for a shared Physical Therapist

    • Sustain existing programming

    • Maintain average student-to-teacher ratios

    • Provide competitive opportunities for our students to prepare them for careers and/or college

RETAIN & ATTRACT QUALITY TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF

    • Our staff salary and benefits are the LOWEST in our area

    • We have the 15th lowest compensation in the state (of 421 districts)

  • The referendum would bring salaries and benefits up to AVERAGE by the 2028-2029 school year

SUSTAIN
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

  • The District has taken a thoughtful, community-based approach to planning for both operational and facility needs. Since July 2025, a five-year strategic plan, facility assessment, staff input, community task force and public survey have helped identify priorities and shape a responsible long-term plan.

    • Replenish core operational and maintenance funds

    • Allocate $300,000 a year towards buildings and grounds maintenance

LEARN THE FACTS. ASK QUESTIONS.

JOIN US at one of the upcoming referendum information events to learn the facts and get your questions answered.

6:00 PM, SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
Gillett Secondary Commons

6:00 PM, THURSDAY
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Gillett Secondary Commons

5:00 PM, WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 28, 2026
Annual Meeting
Gillett Secondary Commons

DID YOU KNOW?

Even if this referendum is approved, Gillett would still have the lowest levy of all neighboring districts.

Even if this referendum is approved, Gillett would still have the lowest levy of all neighboring districts.

WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT?

If approved, the operational referendum would provide an additional $1.9 million annually for three years to protect educational programs, retain quality staff and maintain reliable services for students. Because the District is scheduled to pay off its existing debt by the end of 2026–27, the overall tax impact is projected to decline after the first year.

  • YEAR 1: projected increase of $13.67 per month, per $100,000 of property value compared to the 2025-2026 school year. 

  • YEAR 2: projected increase would be reduced to $3.42 per month, per $100,000 of property value compared to the 2025-2026 school year. 

  • YEAR 3: projected decrease of $0.50 per month, per $100,000 of property value compared to the 2025-2026 school year. 

This three-year investment would give the District time to strengthen staffing and restore essential programming while existing debt comes off the tax rolls. All figures are estimates and may change based on property values and other factors.

Why can’t the District fund these expenses with its current budget?

The State-allowed increases to our District’s revenue limits have not kept up with the cost of inflation, meaning that even maintaining the current level of services required the District to operate at a deficit.

Wisconsin’s existing school funding methods make operating referendums necessary to avoid drastic cuts in programs and services.

85% of all school districts in Wisconsin, and many of our neighbors, have utilized an operating referendum to address funding shortages.

Learn WHY Wisconsin Schools Rely on Local Voters: