Dear Wauzeka-Steuben Staff, Families and Community Members,
On the April 7, 2026 spring election ballot, the Wauzeka-Steuben School District is seeking voter permission to renew its operating referendum for two years. Our existing, four-year operational referendum will expire in June 2026.
Please review the information in our referendum presentation slideshow below, as well as the video from the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials about school financing.
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Enrollment projections show a continued, slow decline from 215 total students this school year to 194 in 2030-2031, even though we added five more students through open enrollment this school year. Without a major change in the state’s funding formula (which is heavily based on enrollment), our district continues to critically need operational referendum funding to maintain our existing educational programs and pay the costs of operation and maintenance.The ballot question seeks $1,150,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and $1,200,000 for the 2027-2028 school year.
We will be mailing information and hosting two community information sessions: Wednesday, March 4 and Monday, March 9, at 6:30 P.M. in the School Library, 301 East Main St. We also will attend town and village meetings to share details and be available to chat at the Wauzeka BP.
Working with conservative assumptions including 2% annual growth in district property values, the tax rate would be $10.59 for $1,000 of equalized property value in the first year and $10.69 in the second year. That is projected to be up from this year’s $9.92 per $1,000 of equalized value; however, Wauzeka-Steuben’s actual tax rates ended up being lower than projected in six of the seven past school years.
The tax impact for the owner of a $100,000 home would be an increase of $67 in the first year and an additional $10 in the second year. Below are the actual school tax rates from 2018-19 through 2025-26 — and the projected 2026-27 and 2027-28 rates:
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The School Board opted for a two-year operational renewal request, rather than three or four years like the past, in order to wait to see what happens with state aid after the election of a new governor and a new state budget that will be crafted for 2028-2030.
Our district continues to be good fiscal stewards of our taxpayers’ funding, tapping Fund 46 capital maintenance funds and one-time federal ESSER funds to pay for major capital needs such as new windows, siding and roof repairs.
While being lean with our operations, we are proud that our district continues to “Exceed Expectations” on state Report Cards. We have a net positive in open enrollment, meaning more families are choosing to enroll their children into our district than those who enroll out. Our teachers and support staff continue to build personal connections with all students in our small class sizes.
If you have any questions, please reach out. We encourage you to join us at one of our information sessions.
Dan Olson
Interim District Administrator
olsondan@wauzeka.k12.wi.us
(608) 875-5311, ext. 214
Nikki Asleson
School Board President
aslesnik@wauzeka.k12.wi.us
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“Be it resolved by the School Board of the School District of Wauzeka-Steuben, Crawford County, Wisconsin, that, for the purpose of paying the costs of operation, educational programs and maintenance of the School District, the School District be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91(2m), Wisconsin Statutes by $1,150,000 for the 2026-2027 school year on a non-recurring basis and by $1,200,000 for the 2027-2028 school year on a non-recurring basis.”
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- In-Person on Election Day - Tuesday, April 7, 2026
- In-Person Absentee at Your Municipal Clerk’s office
- Absentee by Mail
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