WRPS Community Survey Information Session

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) –There’s a WRPS community survey information session on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Superintendent Ron Rasmussen says the surveys went out to all households the first week in November, and it cover three topics.

“Looking at satisfaction of the school district as one aspect,” explains Rasmussen. “The second aspect is questions relating to an operating referendum, and the third aspect for a capital facility referendum, which was alluded to when the last two referendums were passed in 2020.”

What’s in the survey?

Residents can learn about what is in the survey to understand the challenges facing the school district. Rasmussen will be leading the session and answering questions.

“Because we are meeting at Lincoln High School, we’ll also be able to offer a tour of the CTE and agriculture areas to show people what’s in writing, to the visual image,” says Rasmussen.

The superintendent also acknowledged the age of different facilities and the need for possible changes.

“We also know that our facilities, capital wise, operate very differently today, than when some of them were built, 50, 60 years ago, says Rasmussen. “We want to talk through how we use our facilities differently and what are some anticipated needs due to that.”

Financial impacts of possible referendums

The district is facing a $3.5 million budget deficit next year.

“The operating [budget] obviously is the most pressing for us as a school district because of the anticipated budget deficit,” says Rasmussen.

The $2 million technology and curriculum referendum that passed five years ago expires this year. Adding to the loss of funding, Wisconsin Rapids is getting about $95,000 less in state aid this year. This is according to numbers released earlier this month from the state Department of Public Instruction. It’s one of the 70 percent of school districts in the state facing a drop in state aid.

Rasmussen shared that the strategic and financial planning of prior administrations and boards will keep the tax impacts of future projects low.

“Right now we anticipate if it was an operating referendum at three to half million dollars, that tax impact would be about $23 for an average house in Wisconsin Rapids district per year,” says Rasmussen.

Information Session

The WRPS community survey information session is Tuesday at Lincoln High School in the commons/cafeteria area at 6:30 p.m. The surveys are due Monday, Nov. 24.