Letter to the Editor published in the Feb. 12, 2025 issue of the Tomahawk Leader.
Operational referendum to address critical needs in Tomahawk schools
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, residents of the School District of Tomahawk will consider renewing an operational referendum. If it’s approved, the district will be able to continue making investments that ensure students have access to a high-quality educational experience.
Our state has an outdated education funding formula that has led school districts statewide – including Tomahawk Schools – to face significant funding challenges. All districts operate under a state-imposed revenue limit that restricts the amount of money they can receive through state general aid and local property values.
The property tax element adversely affects Tomahawk Schools due to the increased percentage of high-value lake properties within our boundary. This means we receive far less state aid than our peers. The average district receives $8,060.00 per student, compared to only $3,300.00 per student here.
State funding has also failed to keep pace with inflation for many years. If it had, districts like ours would receive about $3,300.00 more per student today.
The non-recurring referendum question on the Feb. 18 ballot seeks permission to exceed our state-mandated revenue limit by $3.25 million per year through the end of the 2028-29 school year. These funds would allow us to maintain current class sizes, preserve academic programs and extracurricular activities, and address minor facility projects.
Operational referendum funds also allow our district to retain and attract quality teachers and staff, while avoiding further budget cuts like those witnessed during the 2021-22 school year, when the district was forced to eliminate approximately $1.2 million worth of expenses.
A renewed operational referendum is not projected to have a levy rate increase. Although levy rates can vary slightly between townships due to various factors, the overall average impact would remain consistent at $5.59 per $1,000.00 of estimated fair market value.
We believe an operational referendum is the best option to address our financial challenges and ensure students continue to have the resources they need and a learning environment where they can thrive. More information about the referendum, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available at www.tomahawkreferendum2025.org.
Ron Zimmerman
President, School District of Tomahawk Board of Education
Submitted on behalf of the board
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