Dr. Rick Spicuzza, superintendent of Prescott public schools

On Nov. 5, the Prescott School Board will ask the community to vote on an operating levy of $1.2 million. If supported, the levy would increase the school portion of your property tax bill annually by an average of $6.60 per $100,000.00 or $26.40 for a $400,000 house. The outcome of this vote will have tangible and long-term implications for the future of our community, staff, and students of the Prescott School District. Ultimately, your vote on Nov. 5 is about a shared vision for the Prescott School District in serving the greater good of its citizens.

The Prescott School District has been fiscally prudent over the last decade. More recently, the school board has taken additional steps to balance this year's budget.

• PSD School Board and Administration made $600,000 in budget cuts last school year. Then, following the unsupported April 2 operating levy—by 12 votes—we listened and made significant and necessary financial cuts to balance this year’s budget. Our expenses for the school board-approved budget fall below the last two years and are comparable to the 2021-22 school year.
• Despite these cuts, our state funding does not cover the basic services and requirements mandated due to annual inflationary costs that ended with the 2009 funding formula changes (see PSD website video on how public schools are funded at the bottom of this article).
  • Prescott Public Schools receives only $74 per pupil above the lowest funded schools in Wisconsin and $1,250 less per student than a neighboring district.
  • Without a locally supported Nov. 5 vote, additional cuts will be required.

How did we get here?

• Over the last nine years, per-pupil funding, (i.e., how schools generate revenue) has increased by less than 1% per year. Yet, operational costs during this period have increased an average of over 6.5% annually.
  • District annual cost increases include staff compensation, health care, and facility operations (e.g., electric, gas, fuel, water, and repairs) which have all increased exponentially.
• Did you know that per-pupil funding varies by district? Prescott's funding is well below some of our neighboring districts. This creates a lack of fairness among districts as Prescott is asked to do more with less – “And we’ve delivered!”
  • This disparity in per pupil funding between neighboring districts puts Prescott at a competitive disadvantage in providing attractive wages to our staff compared to our Middle Border Schools and neighboring districts. Providing competitive compensation to attract and retain staff here in Prescott is the #1 priority of this operating levy.
• Furthermore, there are many unfunded mandates public schools are required to address, which increase every year. As a writer stated last week, all public school districts are required to provide special education services.
  • By law, the special education budget within all districts must be balanced every year.
    • However, due to the woeful underfunding of this mandate (districts receive approximately 33 cents of true costs). PSD must use $1.8 million of its general fund dollars to ensure the special education budget balances financially.
  • We need your support to hold our representatives in the Assembly and Senate accountable for resolving this crisis.

Despite these fiscal challenges, PSD excels in the following areas. PSD continues to add value to our community through its academic, artistic, and athletic performances.

Our Performing Arts Center: Priceless

• Our theater program is state-recognized and award-winning.
• Band and Choir school performances fall, winter, and spring.
• Community events and stellar dance performances.

Athletics: Priceless

PSD achieved state championships for female students at a dynasty level in Dance, and a state championship in softball last spring; our Lady Cardinals just completed their first year in Division I golf earning second place statewide and being #1 among all public schools. Our boys' athletic teams have historic accomplishments as well in baseball, basketball, and track, along with a 7-1 start for varsity football. Small but mighty.

Academics: Priceless

Recently, PHS was named to the AP Honor Roll and continues to provide college-articulated courses providing thousands of dollars of savings for families and students. Through the Prescott Community Club and community engagement each graduating class receives financial scholarships to pursue opportunities after high school.

• PSD is the top performer in math and reading within the Middle Border Conference, above neighboring River Falls and Hudson public schools on the Wisconsin State Exam.
• PSD students perform in the top 10% in achievement, and the top 10% in academic growth. PSD’s unparalleled academic performance of students and staff.
• PSD has an outstanding Tech-Ed program and received statewide acknowledgment for the efforts of our teacher leaders and students.

I encourage all voting adults to ensure they are accurately informed of what is at stake including the cuts and reductions to staffing, budgets, and programming that will need to continue should the operating levy not be supported.

To Learn More visit: www.prescott.k12.wi.us/referendum/nov24referendum.cfm

A supported operating levy protects the future for all students. An unsupported referendum will signal a likely end to these points of excellence requiring even more budgetary and personnel reductions.

Remember to Vote on Nov. 5, remember to flip the ballot to ensure your vote counts. Ultimately, your vote is a choice on the future vision of Prescott School District.