Your Support at Work: Investing in Students, Managing Resources Responsibly

The Stevens Point Area Public School District is deeply grateful for our community’s ongoing support. Because voters approved the 2024 operational referendum, our district has local control to sustain high-quality programs, recruit and retain exceptional staff, and maintain safe, welcoming schools for every student.

As property tax bills arrive, some residents will notice an increase in the school portion of their taxes. We recognize that any increase can feel significant, and we want to be transparent about why that change is occurring - and share how your continued support is directly benefiting students across the district.

“The referendum you supported ensures we can provide strong programs and retain great teachers while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said Superintendent Dr. Cory Hirsbrunner. “We’re grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us.”

Text graphic: State funding was reduced, but Local Support Sustains

General Fund Budget at a Glance

Salaries: $59,078,666

Employee Benefits: $33,303,420

Purchased Services: $26,472,639

Non-Capital Objects: $9,792,759

Capital Objects: $2,406,404

Debt Retirement: $7,608,231

Insurance/Judgements: $959,562

Operating Transfers Out: $ 13,390,433

Other Objects: $181,170

Where Your Dollars Go

Thanks to the 2024 voter-approved operational referendum, our district continues to invest in strong programs, great teachers, and safe, welcoming schools

$5 Million: Protecting class sizes and expanding academic and mental health supports.
$4 Million: Retaining, recruiting, and recognizing great teacher and staff through competitive pay and professional growth.
$500,000: Enhancing classroom technology, CTE and STEAM programs, and hands-on learning.
$3 Million: Caring for our facilities and creating welcoming, safe, secure spaces where every student can thrive.
$1.5 Million: Referendum dollars provide stable, local funding that offsets rising costs and supports essential programs. Dedicated dollars to restore fund balance.

Why the Tax Levy Increased

Several state-level factors influenced this year’s levy:

Reduced State Aid: State general aid decreased by $577,689 (-1.03%), the first decline in several years.
Expanded Voucher Costs: The state now deducts $3.79 million from the local tax levy to fund private school vouchers - a 13.8% increase from last year. This represents 7.6% of the total levy, dollars collected locally but redirected by the state to private schools.
Operational Referendum Implementation: This year marks the first full year of the voter-approved referendum. The mill rate is $6.94, which remains below the $6.96 estimate shared with voters before the referendum.

Projected vs Actual Impacts

* Projected and actual costs based on equalized value
Fiscal Year	Mill Rate Projection	Projected cost on $100K home	Actual Mill Rate	Actual Cost on a $100K home
2024-25	$6.83	$44.00	$6.40	-$30.00
2025-26	$6.96	$47.00	$6.94	$54.00
Total cost on a $100K home		$91.00		$24.00

A Mill Rate without vouchers would be $6.42 vs the projected $6.96

$0.52 per $1,000 in home value goes towards vouchers

For a $200,000 home, voucher cost equals to $104

Three girls playing on the playground, smiling for a photo

What Your Support Is Making Possible

Thanks to your approval of the 2024 referendum, our district has been able to:

Protect class sizes and maintain essential student supports
Offer competitive compensation and professional development to attract and retain great educators
Enhance learning environments, including classroom technology and student well-being resources
Maintain safe, functional facilities for students and staff

These community-funded investments strengthen our schools today while ensuring stability for the future - keeping our focus on every student, every day.

Four senior high girls leaning backwards, crossing their arms, and smiling while posing for a photo before a their flag football event

Responsible Stewardship

Even as costs rise, we remain committed to managing taxpayer dollars wisely.

$769,000 in savings were applied directly to reduce the levy, using interest earnings and fund balances.
An additional $811,000 in staffing and program efficiencies were identified for the 2025–26 budget cycle.

These steps reflect our ongoing effort to deliver on the community’s priorities while minimizing local impact wherever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are budget priorities determined?

Our budget priorities are guided by the District’s Strategic Plan and focused on ensuring every student is engaged, supported, and prepared for success. Each year, district leaders review staffing, programming, and operational needs in collaboration with school administrators and the School Board.

Decisions are made using data, student outcomes, and input from staff, families, and the community. The priorities outlined in the budget also reflect the local control and funding authority approved by voters through the most recent operational referendum, which allows the district to maintain high-quality programs, recruit and retain exceptional staff, and sustain safe, welcoming schools.

The goal is to align resources with the areas that have the greatest impact on teaching, learning, and student well-being while maintaining responsible financial stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

What has the average levy increase been in the past?

Where does the district’s funding come from?

The Stevens Point Area Public School District’s funding comes from three primary sources:

State aid, which is determined by student enrollment and the state’s funding formula (47%);
Local property taxes, approved by voters through referenda and annual levy authority (37%); and
Federal and other revenues, including grants, fees, and donations that support specific programs (16%).

Together, these funding sources provide the resources needed to operate our schools, pay staff, maintain facilities, and support academic and co-curricular opportunities for all students.

Does this budget fund new curriculum, technology, or safety initiatives?

Yes. The budget includes investments that directly support teaching and learning, student safety, and classroom innovation. This includes:

Curriculum updates aligned with state standards and designed to meet the diverse needs of learners;
Technology upgrades that enhance instruction and ensure students and staff have access to reliable tools and resources; and
Safety and security enhancements, including facility improvements and training to maintain safe, welcoming learning environments.

Each of these areas is carefully reviewed to ensure investments are sustainable, effective, and consistent with our district’s mission and strategic priorities.

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