MCPASD is keeping the community engaged and informed about the operational referendum ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, election and is sharing a reminder to voters to flip their ballot to find the referendum question.
Whether voters are planning to vote early or in person on Election Day, MCPASD’s referendum question will appear on the back of the ballot. The referendum question that voters will see on the back of the ballot will read as follows:
"Shall the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, Dane County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $24,900,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, by $27,900,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, by $31,100,000 for the 2029-2030 school year and by $34,600,000 for the 2030-2031 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational and extracurricular programming, and compensation, and other operational expenses?"
Over the past several weeks, District leaders held dozens of conversations with staff, community groups, and local organizations to address concerns about the referendum and answer questions. MCPASD also invites the public to its final referendum community engagement sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6–7 p.m. at Park Elementary School and Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6–7 p.m. at the Middleton High School Performing Arts Center to learn more and ask questions.
Community members who were not able to attend these meetings in person can find answers to frequently asked questions and helpful resources on MCPASD’s referendum web page. Resources include informational videos that address common misconceptions about the referendum as well as the impacts of enrollment levels, inflation, and private school voucher programs on the amount of funding that MCPASD receives from the State of Wisconsin.
Top row, left to right: Referendum Myths vs. Facts video; Q&A with Glacier Creek Middle School Students video
Bottom row, left to right: Understanding Enrollment video; Inflation and Voucher Impacts video
One of the most important things to understand about the 2026 referendum is that it would not overlap with the current referendum that voters approved in 2022. The 2022 referendum will expire at the end of this school year, and if voters approve the 2026 referendum, it would continue the current $24.9 million funding level in 2027–28 (Year 1). This means there would be no estimated referendum-related property tax increase in the first year.
In Years 2, 3, and 4, the funding level would increase gradually to help keep pace with inflation. Even if voters approve the new referendum, MCPASD still estimates making approximately $5 million in budget reductions over the next four years.
It’s also important to understand why MCPASD is facing these budget challenges in the first place. For the past 16 years, under Wisconsin’s school funding system, MCPASD and other school districts have not received funding that keeps pace with inflation. The difference amounts to falling behind inflation by approximately $3,600 per student, and during the 2025-26 school year, that represented an estimated $25.4 million funding gap for our District.
MCPASD provides essential programs and services that support students and staff every day, including school safety, mental health support, nutrition services, and technology, as well as a variety of academic, athletic, arts, and cocurricular programs. Just like other organizations and households, MCPASD has experienced rising costs, but the funding coming from the state to support these needs has not kept pace.
This is a significant decision, and MCPASD is committed to making thoughtful financial decisions while supporting the excellent educational experiences, programs, and services that our students, staff, and community deserve. Thank you for staying engaged and informed about what this referendum means for our District.