BELOIT — The Beloit School District Board of Education opted to place a referendum question on the April 4 ballot seeking $23 million over two years.
The two-year, non-recurring operational referendum request will start in the 2023-24 school year. If approved by voters, the first year would see the district receiving $14 million, while the district would receive $9 million in the second year.
The district also will have a second referendum on the April ballot seeking permission to issue $19.5 in general obligation bonds. The funds for this capitol referendum would be used for maintenance and facility improvements at Beloit Memorial High School. Improvements planned would include roof maintenance, heating, cooling and ventilation, as well as school safety.
For the operational referendum, in that first year, the district would use $6.7 million to support current social and emotional behavioral programming. Then $7.3 million would be used to replenish the district’s fund balance.
In the second year, $3 million would be used to sustain programming. The district would eye technology, curriculum and instructional material updates, as well as update social and emotional behavioral programs. Another $6 million would be used to replenish the fund balance. With an approved referendum, it would keep the district’s current tax rate of $4.78 per every $1,000 of equalized value.
Board members felt an urgency to put forth a referendum that was either for one or two years, including Board President Sean Leavy.
“One could say this could have been discussed a year ago. We needed money yesterday and we need money today. We’re asking for money because we need money now,” Leavy said. “If you don’t give it to us, we are going to ask for it again in November 2024 because we need it.”
If the board did not approve a referendum question, the district’s next chance to put a referendum on a ballot would be in November 2024.
The board anticipates, if the referendum is approved by voters, to ask for another referendum as early as April 2025, but it could be later if additional funds come from the state.
