A Message from Superintendent Andy Banasik: The Future of Prairie du Chien Schools is in Your Hands
As Superintendent of the Prairie du Chien School District, I want to take a moment to speak directly to you—our parents, staff, community members, and taxpayers—about an important decision facing our schools on April 1, 2025. On this day, we will ask voters to consider a non-recurring operating referendum that will allow our district to receive $1.75 million per year for four years, totaling $7 million, to support operational expenses and maintain the high-quality education our students deserve.
Why This Referendum Matters
Public schools across Wisconsin are facing unprecedented financial challenges due to rising costs, outdated funding formulas, and declining enrollment. Like many districts in our state, Prairie du Chien is operating under a revenue limit that has not kept pace with inflation. This makes it increasingly difficult to maintain essential programs, staffing levels, and student resources without additional funding.
Since the failed referendum in November, we have worked diligently to listen to our community and ensure everyone understands the district’s financial reality. We want all residents to make an informed decision, and to that end, we encourage you to review the referendum information and complete the community survey available online and mailed to all district households. Your feedback will help the Board of Education make informed decisions that best reflect the needs of our students and community.
The Financial Realities
Approximately 70% of our budget goes toward salaries and benefits, a common trend in education. Over the past five years, we have taken significant steps to reduce costs, including staffing reductions that saved nearly $680,000, securing grants and donations totaling over $800,000, and reducing contracted services to save another $100,000. Despite these efforts, our operational expenses continue to rise, and we must seek additional funding through this referendum to ensure that our students receive the best possible education.
Impact on Property Taxes
Understandably, one of the biggest concerns in any referendum is the potential impact on property taxes. Our district has made a concerted effort to maintain a responsible tax rate. From 2014 to 2022, the mill rate remained steady at $10.66. In recent years, we restructured our capital payback schedule, reducing the mill rate to $6.11—a 43% decrease. If the referendum passes, there will be a phased increase over four years, starting with an estimated $10.67 monthly increase on a home valued at $100,000 in the first year. By the fourth year, that impact would drop to $3.83 per month.
The Choice on April 1
When you head to the polls on April 1, you’ll be voting on whether the district should be authorized to exceed the revenue limit by $1.75 million annually for four years to fund operational expenses. By voting YES, the referendum will pass. By voting NO, it will not.
Your Voice Matters
We recognize that every taxpayer has a stake in this decision, and we are committed to providing transparent information. I encourage you to review the details, ask questions, and share your thoughts through the community survey. You can find all the information at pdc.k12.wi.us/district/2025-operating-referendum.cfm. This referendum is not just about dollars and cents—it’s about our students, our schools, and the future of Prairie du Chien. Thank you for being engaged in this conversation, and most importantly, for making your voice heard on April 1.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 608-326-3702 or banan@pdc.k12.wi.us.
Sincerely,
Andy Banasik
Superintendent, Prairie du Chien School District
