SPRING VALLEY – The Spring Valley School Board tackled financial topics during the June 28 special meeting, discussing the expected state funding to the district from the biennial budget and future repairs and upgrades that need to be prioritized.

SVSD faced two failed referendum items in April: a $7.1 million facility referendum that would have included a track, football field and multi-sport complex, and a $1.5 million operational referendum that would have provided $500,000 per year for three years to the district.

The operating referendum failed will 772 votes in favor and 781 against.

Ranking as the 395th of 421 school districts in per pupil funding, Spring Valley School Board members signed a resolution in an attempt to change the way school districts are funded. Spring Valley received $10,328 in per pupil funding, which would increase by $325 in each of the next two years. The state average is $11,701 per pupil.

The low revenue ceiling was increased to $11,000 per pupil in 2023 Wisconsin Act 11, but the power to bring these districts up to the low revenue ceiling is in the hands of the state. In addition, the district is frozen at current funding for three years due to the failure of the non-recurring referendum.

The board wants local government and the school board to hold the power to levy up to the $11,000 which would make up to a $260,250 difference in the 2023-24 school year from the current funding system.

While the state budget is moving through the approval process already, District Administrator

John Groh still believes it is important to show what the school’s stance is.

“It may be too late, but I think it’s never too late to say what we stand for,” Groh said.

Groh and School Board President April Robelia recently had an over-the-phone discussion with Reps. Warren Petryk, Shannon Zimmerman and Clint Moses. The representatives did not instill confidence in the current funding process changing.

“‘Well, you’re out of luck, you really have to go back to your community,’ essentially is what they said,” Robelia said.

The district has already had to work around delaying purchases including two buses this year and could potentially have to make cuts in other areas.

Groh said the three options for the school are an increase in funding, making cuts or going to a referendum again.

“We’ve already made decisions to cut back on purchases or to make cuts when appropriate,” Groh said. “If inflation continues at the pace it’s been or close to it, we will need to make cuts at some point or delay purchases.”

Facility presentations

The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to facility presentations including discussing potential repairs and upgrades to the schools, bus garage, pool and athletics facilities.

Discussed items ranged in price and necessity, including the generator at the middle/high school approaching its end of life, the bus garage needing expansion and possibly looking into getting new scoreboards.

The recently introduced Building and Grounds Committee will use board feedback to begin taking the next steps.