MCPASD leaders are hosting engagement meetings across our community to answer questions and share more about the operational referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing shares some of the common questions at these meetings and addresses myths versus facts about the referendum.
Myth 1: The state increased school funding, so school districts should have enough money.
Fact: While funding has increased, it hasn’t kept pace with inflation. Since 2009, that gap has grown to nearly $3,600 per student. For MCPASD, that represents approximately $25.4 million. Operating referendums are one way school districts have addressed that gap between available revenue and rising costs.
Myth 2: Voters already approved an operational referendum in 2022. Is MCPASD double-dipping by having another referendum in 2026?
Fact: No. The operational referendum approved in 2022 expires after the 2026-27 school year. The proposed 2026 referendum would begin in 2027-28, with $24.9 million in the first year, the same referendum funding level authorized for 2026-27. If voters approve the 2026 referendum, that funding would continue beginning the following school year.
Myth 3: The school referendum is what's driving up my entire property tax bill.
Fact: The school district is only one part of our property tax bills. Municipalities, counties and technical colleges also levy property taxes. Property assessments can also shift how the tax burden is distributed among individual properties and neighborhoods. Also, it’s important to note that school districts can't simply raise additional revenue because property values increase. We're limited by state-imposed revenue limits unless voters authorize additional funding through a referendum.
Myth 4: If the District were more efficient, we wouldn't need a referendum.
Fact: Today's public schools provide significantly more services and meet more requirements than they did a generation ago. This includes student safety, mental health, social work, nursing, school nutrition and technology, along with expanded academic opportunities such as AP courses, dual-credit courses and youth apprenticeships. Schools must also comply with extensive, unfunded legal mandates, such as state and federal special education requirements.
Myth 5: MCPASD has too many administrators at central office.
Fact: When we compare MCPASD with other Dane County school districts, MCPASD has approximately 214 students per administrator, ranking 13th out of the 16 districts included in our comparison. Looking at student-to-staff ratios gives us a way to put MCPASD's staffing levels into context alongside neighboring districts.
Please join us at one of our community engagement meetings to ask questions and learn more. Dates and times are on our referendum web page. If you have a question about the referendum that is not answered on the website, fill out this Google Form, and District leaders will respond to your question.