GILLETT, WI – Voters in the Gillett School District will head to the polls April 7 to decide an operational referendum designed to address ongoing budget shortfalls. District officials say Gillett is facing a projected $2 million deficit in the 2026–27 school year, growing to $2.8 million the following year, as state funding has not kept pace with rising costs.
The proposed referendum outlines a five-year, phased plan to raise the district’s revenue limit, beginning with a $2 million increase in year one. That would equal an estimated $19.75 per month for a home valued at $100,000.
School leaders warn that without voter approval, continued deficits could lead to significant staffing reductions, larger class sizes, and fewer opportunities for students. They add that if the financial situation worsens, discussions with the state could even include dissolving the district after the 2026–27 school year.
Additional details about the referendum are available online, and a public informational meeting is scheduled for Feb. 26 at Gillett Secondary School.
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