CLINTONVILLE, WI – Clintonville school officials are continuing preparations for a potential April operational referendum, with conversations focused on balancing district needs with taxpayer impact.
Superintendent Troy Kuhn said the school board’s most recent meeting centered on two key questions: which services are supported by state funding and which rely solely on local taxpayer dollars. “We can lower taxes, we can keep taxes the same, or we can increase taxes but we really need to differentiate which things we get state aid from and which things are local,” Kuhn explained.
Kuhn said the district is working to strategically use its current funds so that, if voters approve raising the revenue cap, Clintonville can take advantage of state funding opportunities without creating an unnecessary burden on local taxpayers. Financial advisors have indicated the district could maximize state aid with little or no local tax increase.
In addition to future planning, referendum dollars from previous measures still need to be allocated. Kuhn said the district is looking at projects such as installing window blinds at the middle school and implementing additional safety improvements across the district.
Kuhn emphasized that taxpayer-supported services, such as the daycare, recreation center, and police liaison officer, are also part of the conversation. “We want to make sure we are using taxpayer money in the most effective way possible,” he said, adding that the ultimate goal is to keep Clintonville residents fully informed and engaged as the board moves closer to an April decision.
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