The School District of Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan has spent the last year reviewing our budget and exploring options with the goal of finalizing a plan that reflects the priorities of taxpayers and meets the needs of our students.

As a result of the federally-provided COVID-19 funding coming to an end, the District is projecting an operating budget deficit in the coming years. We need to determine how best to fund the programs and services that have made our students successful. In addition, we have identified facility projects needed to maintain our buildings and better serve our communities.

The District then asked our community to provide feedback on the funding challenges and their proposed solutions. We wanted to ensure that the needs of our students and priorities of our taxpayers were reflected in potential referendum plans. Results of the survey can be found here (Community Survey Information). All community feedback was instrumental in shaping the referendum plan that the Board of Education unanimously supported at their August 12, 2024 board meeting. See the full press release here. (Press Release from 8.12.24)

On November 5, 2024, residents of the School District of Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan will have the opportunity to vote on two referendum questions that address operational, community, and facility needs.

What’s Included? (The Solution)

Our comprehensive facilities plan is Fiscally Responsible + Community Driven.

Question 1 asks for authorization to exceed the revenue limit by $745,000 per year for four years, starting with the 2024-2025 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 school year to maintain current District programs and services and address key facility maintenance projects.

The operational referendum will:

• • • • maintain current District programs and services, including:

• • • • address high priority capital maintenance needs districtwide to maintain schools and improve safety and security for students and families including:

Question 2 asks for authorization to borrow up to $2,910,000 to renovate and add onto Lincoln Elementary school. This additional space will support a childcare center.

The capital referendum will:

• • • • renovate and add onto Lincoln Elementary school to support a childcare center with the capacity to host 96 children. After engaging with numerous groups of community members, including childcare providers, the District learned that there is a dire need for additional childcare in Jackson County.
      • updates to the elementary playground to improve safety and accessibility

Due to careful financial planning by the District, voters could approve BOTH of these referendum questions without increasing the tax mill rate over current levels!

Why Two Questions?

According to state law, authority to exceed the revenue limit for operations (Question 1) and borrowing money for a capital referendum (Question 2) cannot be combined; voters must respond to each question independently.

Why Now?

Community Childcare Needs: The District has responded to community requests for more childcare by partnering with local providers to expand childcare space at the elementary school. This will increase available slots for families.

Maintain Student Programs & Services : As ESSER funding (additional funding provided during COVID) sunsets, the District is facing a budget deficit; in order to maintain quality programs and services to ensure student success, the District needs to secure a voter-approved operating referendum to balance the budget or be forced to make cuts.

Facility Maintenance: ACHMSD has identified facility projects needed to properly maintain the schools and improve safety for students and families. These projects will ensure our school buildings are safe, functional, and conducive to learning.

Effective Financial Planning:  Due to the effective financial planning of the District, Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan voters could support both an operational and capital referendum to complete the identified facility projects and add child care space WITHOUT increasing the tax mill rate.

How To Learn More:

Referendum Information Sessions will be held on the following dates/times. Dates indicated with a star are to be held within the school district and will include the opportunity to tour the building.

(Referendum Fact Sheet)

If you are unable to attend one of the above sessions, the presentation is available virtually on the website (Information Session Presentation), or you are encouraged to contact Superintendent Drew Semingson to schedule a meeting and/or tour of the school.

Tax Impact:

Due to the effective financial planning of the District, Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan voters could support both the $745,000, per year for 4 years, operational referendum question and the $2,910,000 capital referendum to complete the identified facility projects and add child care space WITHOUT increasing the tax mill rate.

Over 40% of the total project cost is anticipated to be covered by the FEMA funding grant! 

Voting Information:

Election Day: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Visit https://www.myvote.wi.gov for details on your polling location and hours.

Absentee Voting: All voters in Wisconsin can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them for any reason. Voters must be registered before they can request an absentee ballot. To request an absentee ballot, visit myvote.wi.gov. You must provide a photo ID with your absentee ballot request.

In-Person Absentee Voting: Voters can request and vote via absentee ballot in-person at their municipal clerk’s office beginning on October 22. Office hours vary by municipality, some municipal offices may not offer additional in-person absentee hours. Please contact your municipal clerk for available options.

Questions? Comments?  

If you have questions or comments, you can contact Superintendent Drew Semingson at 715-964-1363, [email protected].