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The Board of Education and administration respect the needs of property taxpayers and have a history of keeping levy rates steady and low. In fact, FDLSD has the lowest mill rate of all districts in Fond du Lac County, at $5.43 per $1,000 of fair market value.

However, we face growing budget deficits associated with declining enrollment, inflation, and insufficient financial support from the state. Had state funding kept pace with inflation since 2009, our district would have received an additional $22.3 million in 2025 alone.

To help address our financial challenges, FDLSD voters will consider a non-recurring operational referendum on Tuesday, April 7. This funding tool would provide $7.5 million annually for the next four years, allowing us to make investments in safety and security and limit the extent of future budget cuts.

An approved referendum would have a tax impact of $1.51 per $1,000 of property value in 2026-27 before declining. With the proposed increase, our mill rate would remain lower than the current state average for the next four years.

You can learn more about the proposed referendum and the ways it would support FDLSD by visiting https://fdlsd.org/referendum2026.

The Fond du Lac School District faces financial challenges that are beyond our control and largely related to the state’s funding system, declining enrollment, and inflation.

On Tuesday, April 7, voters in our community will consider approving a non-recurring operational referendum that would provide $7.5 million annually for the next four years. These funds will allow our district to:

✅Make strategic investments in our facilities to improve safety and security

✅Limit the extent of future staff reductions

✅Minimize disruptions to academic programs and services

✅Maintain career readiness resources and opportunities with industry partners in our community

Learn more: https://fdlsd.org/referendum2026

On Tuesday, April 7, our community will vote on a proposed non-recurring operational referendum for the Fond du Lac School District. If it’s approved, we will be able to exceed our revenue limit by $7.5 million annually through the 2029-30 school year. 

Over the past year, our district has:

➡️Eliminated 70 staff positions

➡️Increased class sizes at the middle and high schools

➡️Reduced the number of consultants who help train teachers and support students with learning needs

➡️Cut eight positions in the central office to address budget shortfalls

Despite these spending reductions, we still face projected budget deficits in the years ahead. An operational referendum will reduce the scope of future budget reductions felt by students through supporting the resources and learning environments they need to thrive.

Find answers to frequently asked questions and learn more about the ways a referendum supports our schools: https://fdlsd.org/referendum2026