MANITOWOC PUBLIC
SCHOOL DISTRICT

Once upon a time…
(in 1993)
• Wi. property taxes were rising above inflation rate
• Statewide, Salaries were on the rise
• School districts didn’t have spending limits, other than
aiming for conservative property tax increases
• Average annual raises to Wisconsin teachers was 6.5%
(salary + fringes)

Conservative, fiscally responsible….
Not the case for many other districts!

In order to Limit School Spending:
Wisconsin Legislature enacted two statutes that
restrict the amount of money school districts
can raise:
1. Revenue limit enacted to provide property tax
relief
2. Qualified Economic Offer (QEO) – QEO repealed in 2009
– Annual raises for teachers dropped from 6.5%
across state to 3.6% (salary +fringes) in 1996-97

To off-set the Revenue Limits:
The State committed to
2/3 funding aid to support the cost
of education

Recent state changes with local impact:
• Employee Contributions to Wisconsin
Retirement System increased
• Health Insurance Contributions by Employees
increased
• Salaries frozen or CPI maximum
» Average annual raises for teachers 2.9% in 2010-11.

At the state level….
• State aid to the MPSD has been cut by over $5
million in the past 5 years, while expenses continue
to rise
• Not 67% funding,… but 58% funding

Federal funding has declined too:
• Title I
• Title II (class size reduction)
• Title III
• Title IV (competitive grants only)
• Title V (obsolete)
• Carl Perkins funding has been reduced
• Special Education aid has been reduced

Local impact:
• Over 40 staff positions have been eliminated
– TEACHERS
– ADMINISTRATORS *
– OTHER SUPPORT STAFF ~in almost every area

Impact on MPSD employees:
Staff Categories
2008-09
Staffing (FTE)
2013-14
Staffing (FTE)
FTE Increase
(Decrease)
Percent
Increase
(Decrease)
Teachers 407.8 381.1 (26.7) -6.55%
Administrators 25.0 23.0 (2.0) -8.00%
Custodial/Maintenance 54.0 50.0 (4.0) -7.41%
Clerical 38.4 36.9 (1.5) -3.91%
Paraprofessionals 140.6 131.9 (8.7) -6.19%
Other 30.0 28.7 (1.3) -4.33%
Total 695.8 651.6 (44.2) -6.35%

Approximately $6.2 million has
been cut in the last 3 years
• 10% of the budget
• Eliminating student programs and services:
 Elementary Sports
 Destination Imagination
 Mini Chopper Project
 Offering high school classes alternating years
 Reduction in world language

Local impact (cont.)
• Significant reductions in state aid have resulted
in:
– Deferred maintenance
– Obsolete technology
– Delayed installation of safety and security measures

Impact on class-size
• Elementary Class-Size: Most current class sizes are
20 to 26 and range up to 29 students.
• Junior/Senior High Class-Size: Most current class
sizes are 21-27 and range up to 31 students.

Other belt-tightening measures
• The MPSD has made significant changes and
improvements in energy efficiency

Low Spending!

Despite the Challenges…
• We have amazing and dedicated staff who
come to work every day to serve our kids!
• We serve and support each other
• We are creative with our resources
• We somehow find a way to “make it work” in
spite of the budgetary challenges.

Forecast for the future
• A budget shortfall of more than $1 million per year is
projected for each of the next 5 years.
• UNLESS~

Investment in Education…
• … is an Investment in the Future

Preparing students for
success
• Is not a luxury, it’s a necessity
• The MPSD has a strong tradition…we need to keep
the tradition alive
• Strong 4K-12 public education helps build the local
and regional workforce needed to attract and retain
businesses and spur economic growth

Operations
• Our students deserve a variety of academic options
that personalize their educational experience and
better prepare them for success in college and a
highly competitive 21st century global workplace.

MPSD School Board Support
• BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the
Manitowoc Public School District, that the revenues
included in the School District budget be authorized
to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section
121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, for the 2014-2015 school
year and thereafter by $1,000,000, for recurring
purposes to maintain current programs and services.
• Adopted and recorded July 8, 2014.

Maintenance and Security
• Funding is needed to maintain healthy and safe
learning environments for students and staff
• The schools need to improve building security by
upgrading the cameras and security systems.

Ours schools are Aging
• Youngest school: Jefferson (18 years old)
• Average age: 65 years old!
• Although in great shape, maintenance of
old buildings is costly.

Wellness for facilities
• Ongoing budget constraints have not allowed the
MPSD to tackle large-scale projects.
• Funding is needed in order to maintain school sites
and ensure high quality education for students.

MPSD School Board Support
• BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Manitowoc
Public School District that the revenues included in the
School District budget be authorized to exceed the
revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin
Statutes, for the 2014-2015 school year and thereafter
by $600,000, for recurring purposes to address major
maintenance and security needs.
• Adopted and recorded July 8, 2014.

Technology Needs
• Computers are needed as important educational
tools for today’s students.
• It is a disruption to learning if equipment isn’t
maintained or when replacements are needed.

MPSD School Board Support
• BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Manitowoc
Public School District that the revenues included in the
School District budget be authorized to exceed the
revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin
Statutes, for the 2014-2015 school year and thereafter
by $400,000, for recurring purposes to update
classroom technology and replace aging computers.
• Adopted and recorded July 8, 2014.

Referendum Recap
Authorize MPSD to exceed the revenue limit by:
1. $1,000,000 for recurring purposes to maintain current
programs and services.
2. $600,000 for recurring purposes to address major
maintenance projects and security needs (updating
security cameras, lighting, windows, asbestos
abatement, roofs, etc.).
3. $400,000 for recurring purposes to update classroom
technology and replace aging computers (additional
elementary computers required for online testing,
secondary mobile labs, update for wired and wireless
internet access, etc.).

If all 3 questions are supported by
voters:
• The mill rate would increase 77 cents.
• That means it would cost local taxpayers with property
valued at $100,000 an additional $1.48 per week.
• On a happy note, state aid will reduce the increase in
future years.
Double Cheeseburger

Tax Levy Comparison
Of the 50 largest school districts in the state,
MPSD ranks number 50 with the lowest tax rate.

Which of the following do you have at
your home?
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
93%
60%
51%
43%
37%

How would you like to receive
information regarding the MPSD?
1%
2%
10%
9%
26%
26%
22%
39%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Email
District website
District mailings
Facebook
Herald Times Reporter
Lakeshore Chronicle
Attend public forums
School Board meetings
Twitter
Other
2%
9%
21%
46%
78%
2%
11%
37%
51%
10%
28%
39%
Non-Parents
Parents

Share the Story:
• Invite others to attend an informational
meeting
• Talk to others about the referendum questions
• Share the hand-out you receive today
• Review the FAQs on the MPSD website
• Ask questions, answer questions

Informational meetings
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. on the following dates:
– Monday, October 6th Wilson Jr. High
– Wednesday, October 15th Washington Jr. High
– Wednesday, October 22nd Wilson Jr. High

That’s the MPSD story to date

Remember to vote
• The referendum questions will be on the ballot on
November 4th

Questions on Ballot November 4
MANITOWOC PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM - QUESTION #1
"Shall the Manitowoc Public School District, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin be authorized to
exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, for the 2014-2015
school year and thereafter by $1,000,000, for recurring purposes to maintain current
programs and services?" YES _____ NO _____
MANITOWOC PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM - QUESTION #2
"Shall the Manitowoc Public School District, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin be authorized to
exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, for the 2014-2015
school year and thereafter by $600,000, for recurring purposes to address major
maintenance and security needs?" YES _____ NO _____
MANITOWOC PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM - QUESTION #3
"Shall the Manitowoc Public School District, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin be authorized to
exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, for the 2014-2015
school year and thereafter by $400,000, for recurring purposes to update classroom
technology and replace aging computers?" YES _____ NO _____