The Willmar Public School District’s “Strong Today. Future Focused.” Referendum is currently underway and will conclude after the election on November 7, 2023. Our primary aim is to ensure our community is well-informed, which is why we’ve chosen to share information with the West Central Tribune. We believe this information will empower you to make an informed decision at the ballot box.
Strong Today. Future Focused.
In 2015, our community’s support played a pivotal role in enhancing our education facilities. However, due to factors such as inflation outpacing state funding, unfunded mandates, declining enrollment, and various other challenges, we find ourselves in need of additional financial support. To address this, we’re proposing a “Strong Today, Future Focused” operating levy and bond referendum centered around the following themes:
Learning together - Maintaining class sizes and a broad variety of academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular programming is a hallmark of our schools, as is having the flexibility to enhance student opportunities when they arise.
Building together - Willmar Schools provides a foundation for learning with quality, teachers, staff, and mental health resources for our kids, and the educational spaces needed to succeed.
Better together - Our community recognizes the importance of strong schools for strong communities. We’re strong today and future-focused because we recognize that kids are our greatest asset.
The Need
For 2024, the Willmar School District approved a budget reduction of $2,000,000. Without an increase in revenue, further cuts will be necessary to maintain a balanced budget. The district has been using its general fund reserves, akin to a savings account, to balance the budget. However, this approach is not sustainable, and, without changes, the general fund reserves are projected to be depleted within a few years.
Without additional revenue, we will experience the following:
Increased class sizes
Reduced programming, notably mental health
Reduced opportunities for students
The Plan
The Willmar School Board voted unanimously to approve a two-question ballot for a November 7 referendum.
Question 1 is asking voters to consider an operating levy that would generate approximately $3 million in annual revenue.
Question 2 is asking voters to consider a $6.1 million bond levy to construct a new gymnasium for the middle school to provide a more adequate physical education space for students. Question 1 must pass for Question 2 to pass.
How Will the Operating Levy Money be Spent?
The Process
By listening to our community and its leaders, Willmar Public Schools knows that the community is supportive of the District and referendum. A recent survey revealed the following:
The Cost
The cost, if the referendum and bond are passed, would be approximately $23 a month for the average estimated market value home of $225,000. To see the specific tax impact on your property, please visit https://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/Page/6398 and use the provided tax calculator.
Financial Comparisons to Other School Districts
The Willmar Public School District is among the lowest of all taxing rates within neighboring schools. Even with the proposed referendums passing, the school tax bill would remain in the lower half of neighboring schools.
How do we compare to our neighbors?
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Early Absentee Voting
Early in-person voting started September 22, 2023, and will last through November 6, 2023, in the District Office during our school hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For further details regarding absentee voting and the election, please visit our website at https://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/Page/6393.
Do you have further questions?
If so, please visit our referendum website at https://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/Page/6371. If your questions are not answered there, please feel free to contact Dr. Adams or Dr. Holm at the following contact information:
Dr. Bill Adams
320.231.8506
Dr. Jeff Holm
320.231.8510
