School districts may place two questions on the ballot per calendar year. Question 1 is an operating referendum that would support the District’s annual operating budget for three years. This referendum addresses things such as salaries and benefits, utilities, insurances, transportation costs, curriculum, student activities, and more. Question 2 is a facilities referendum that addresses district-wide needs (such as capital maintenance, renovation, and improving safety, security, and accessibility) as part of a long-range facilities plan. The needs in the facilities referendum (Question 2) cannot be addressed in the district’s annual budget alone.

If only the operating referendum passes, PASD will have the necessary operating funds through 2028, but will not be able to address critical maintenance and facility needs. If only the facilities referendum passes, PASD will have the funds to make critical maintenance and facility needs but will not have the operating funds to support teaching and learning.

A successful Operating Referendum allows the district to maintain the current level of operations. This includes funding to support salaries and benefits, programming (academic and athletic), class offerings, technology, and day-to-day operations.

The state limits the amount of money school districts can spend. This has not kept up with increasing costs, making it difficult for the District to maintain current programs & services. We are not alone. This has caused 86% of WI school districts to ask local voters for more funding through an Operational Referendum. Pardeeville area voters last approved this type of referendum in 2022. A portion of this funding will expire in 2026. Under the current state budget, Pardeeville is projecting a budget deficit. Therefore, the District is asking voters to consider an April 1, 2025 referendum that would provide $800,000 for three years to maintain programs & services to meet student needs, attract & retain staff, and complete basic maintenance projects. District leaders have determined that securing funding to maintain current programs is the most pressing need.

Yes, safety is a high priority for the PASD campus. The facility referendum includes an updated secure entrance for the Elementary School and the Balliet Building, which was not originally designed as a school and is currently disconnected from the main building, would be demolished with Grade 5 classrooms added to the existing Middle School Building.

The cafeteria at the Middle and High School is original to the building and was built in the 1960s. Much of the equipment is more than 60 years old and many components no longer work — and because of the age, tracking down parts or providing maintenance is difficult or impossible. Watch this video for a look at the current state of the kitchen and servery.

In addition to these needs, community members have repeatedly voiced that fixing the kitchen, cafeteria, and servery is a priority. The district and Board sought to address this by including it in the facilities referendum.

Residents of the Pardeeville Area School District are eligible to vote on the operating and facilities questions on the April 1 ballot. To check your voting status and/or request an absentee ballot, visit www.myvote.wi.gov.

The MS & HS Principals surveyed 14 schools in the conference as to whether a combined cafeteria/serving area was utilized at their schools. All responded that they are presently serving students in this capacity & felt this concept works well. The design team will further refine a plan that addresses serving & seating. Building Principals felt scheduling for lunch times & staff presence/monitoring will ensure positive experience for students.

Findorff did a campus assessment of all buildings and concluded the elementary school to be structurally sound. Updates and an addition of one classroom are included in the Facilities referendum. An estimated $40 million to replace the elementary school would not allow for other projects to be accomplished throughout the district.

Additionally, a community survey showed that the majority of respondents would not support a $40 million project. In listening to community feedback, the Board made the decision to refine scope and costs.

No, you do not need to have children in the district to vote. Any resident aged 18 or older residing in the district can vote.

Yes, it is encouraged for local trades to bid for the projects. Findorff will be facilitating the procurement process in conjunction with the district. Local participation in the project is desired. If your firm is interested in working on the project, please submit your contact information to Dr. Ben Heninger at henibe@pasdwi.org.

The district will be hosting a number of Info Sessions in February and March; all are invited to attend to get more information on the upcoming referendums. You can also follow the PASD Facebook page for updates, as well as watch some of our previous Focus on Facilities videos that give a tour of the buildings. Browse this page for additional resources, and for any other questions, please email Dr. Ben Heninger, District Administrator, at henibe@pasdwi.org.