Citizen Advocates for Public Education

09/10/2026

"Property taxpayers are getting walloped paying for 2 systems. Until this year, an enrollment cap was placed on vouchers to protect taxpayers. This year the 10% cap was ended so the number of vouchers is unlimited as long as the recipient meets income guidelines when enrolled."

PAYMENTS FROM PROPERTY TAXES TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE LISTED IN THE RIGHT HAND COLUMN.

DID YOU KNOW the private school vouchers paid through local property taxes in the statewide program, referred to as WPCP, increase automatically every year? The per pupil voucher amounts for private high schools actually exceed the revenue limit of many public schools.

School year 26-27 WPCP
Property tax cost of private high school voucher $13,799 per pupil
Property tax cost of private K-8 voucher $11,305

School year 25-26 WPCP
Property tax cost of private high school voucher $13,371 per pupil
Property tax cost of private K-8 voucher $10,877

Property taxpayers are getting walloped paying for 2 systems. Until this year, an enrollment cap was placed on vouchers to protect taxpayers. This year the 10% cap was ended so the number of vouchers is unlimited as long as the recipient meets income guidelines when enrolled. (There is no income requirement for subsequent years. Once in, no need to re-verify.) Taxpayers could save tremendously by re-qualifying vouchers on a regular basis.

Still, parents are choosing local schools over private.
So far, only 3 districts have a voucher waiting list and their property taxes take a big hit because of it.

Wisconsin Property Taxpayers Inc.



https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KH5pkxbPkDasyOuhkAArnf1m80ujpCa2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110226505097523323085&rtpof=true&sd=true

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

"Far from reaping a historic investment, students and teachers are starting the year in Wisconsin with no new money for schools."

Wisconsin schools are starting up with no new money this year. Chronic underfunding has reached a crisis point.

09/05/2026

This investment would provide funds to fairly compensate our teachers! "The estimated tax impact is $0.40 per $1,000 of a property’s 2026 fair market value, or about $10 per month ($120 per year) for a home valued at $300,000."

Keeping our community informed about Lake Mills Area School District finances, funding, and state-level decisions impacting public education. 💙💛

Finance Fridays | Investing in Our Educators
Approximately 75% of the District’s operating budget goes toward staff salaries and benefits, making competitive compensation an important factor in attracting and retaining high-quality educators. A strong, stable teaching staff supports consistent class sizes, programs, and opportunities for students.

Teacher compensation remains a priority for the Board of Education. Our teacher salaries have historically been below those offered by neighboring school districts.

Our 2026-27 starting teacher salary of $44,120 is about $3,300 below the average starting salary of $47,448 offered by the 10 neighboring school districts within a 20-mile radius of Lake Mills.

The operational referendum on the November 2026 ballot would provide additional funding for the District’s ongoing operating expenses, including teacher compensation. The estimated tax impact is $0.40 per $1,000 of a property’s 2026 fair market value, or about $10 per month ($120 per year) for a home valued at $300,000.

Investing in our teachers is one of the most important investments we can make in our students.

09/03/2026

We must do better for our kids! "Due to chronic underfunding from the state legislature for the last two decades, students and educators are facing larger class sizes, crumbling infrastructure, and outdated resources as they return to classrooms this year."

09/02/2026

These Middle School students love their swag bags! Welcome, new L-Cats!

08/29/2026

We're excited to be gifting an L-Cat Swag Bag to students new to the district this year! Welcome, new L-Cats!

08/25/2026

Wondering about capital vs. operational referendums? Check out the brief video linked below to learn more.

Do you understand the difference between a capital vs operational school funding referendum? Almost every public school district across Wisconsin has held a referendum in the last 20 years due to the school funding crisis – get the facts on how they work: https://www.jsonline.com/videos/news/education/2026/07/15/what-should-you-know-before-voting-on-a-school-referendum/90929839007/

08/24/2026

Classrooms have been cleaned, trainings have been completed, lesson plans have been prepared, and materials have been organized. School begins tomorrow, Aug. 25. Here's to a great 2026-27 school year for all staff and students in LMASD!

08/22/2026

Plan to attend one of these sessions to learn more about the operational referendum, ask questions, and hear how the proposed funding could support our students, staff, and schools.
📅 Thursday, September 17
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills High School
📅 Wednesday, September 30
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Middle School
📅 Tuesday, October 13
5:00–6:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Elementary School

On Monday, August 17, the Lake Mills Area School District Board of Education voted unanimously, 5–0, to place an operational referendum on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

If approved by voters, the referendum would allow the district to exceed the state-imposed revenue limit by $2.9 million annually for four years. The funds would be used to:
✏️ Maintain student educational programs and class sizes
✏️ Retain high-quality teachers and staff
✏️ Support essential needs such as buses, technology and maintenance

The Lake Mills Area School District is one of the few school districts in Wisconsin that has gone more than a decade without asking its community to support an operational referendum, despite years of inadequate state funding.

The district has maintained financial stability through conservative budgeting, below-average teacher salaries, and refinancing existing debt to reduce costs. The district has now reached a point where further significant reductions would negatively impact class sizes, student opportunities, and essential programming.

This November, Lake Mills voters will have an important decision to make about the future of our schools and the resources available to students, teachers and staff. 💙💛

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙩. 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.
Join us to learn more about the operational referendum, ask questions, and hear how the proposed funding could support our students, staff, and schools.

📅 Thursday, September 17
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills High School

📅 Wednesday, September 30
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Middle School

📅 Tuesday, October 13
5:00–6:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Elementary School