FDL School District and Education Association’s response to referendum being voted down

The Fond du Lac School District has released a statement in response to their $40 million referendum being voted down on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in the Spring General Election.

On April 1, Fond du Lac School District voters did not support an operational referendum to authorize the District to exceed the revenue limit by $10,000,000 per year for four years for non-recurring purposes. The “unofficial result” for the referendum question was 9,617 No to 8,452 Yes.

Like many other Wisconsin districts, the Fond du Lac School District is faced with increased student needs and reduced state funding. At the same time, significant investments are needed to address safety and security. The Board of Education and Administration worked with financial consultants and security experts to develop a plan to guide future investments with a continued focus on the current and future needs of students. The proposed referendum funds would have allowed the District to maintain operations, cover maintenance expenses, and provide security upgrades. The District will be unable to move forward with the planned investments without the referendum funds.

Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Fleig said, “The community provided us feedback on what they expect the District to do, and we will make necessary cuts to address our deficit. The reduction in operational dollars the District is facing will lead to changes in how we deliver education to our students.” He added, “We have made incredible progress over the last four years, and we owe it to our students, families, staff, and the Fond du Lac community to provide the best educational opportunities for students. Without these funds, the District will need to make modifications and tough decisions, so we can continue to change outcomes for our students. Additionally, we will not be able to make the necessary security improvements at the high school.” 

Fleig said the next step for the District would be to work with the Board of Education to make necessary cuts and determine how we can best serve our students and staff moving forward.

Here is the Fond du Lac Education Association’s response to the Referendum Vote:

The Fond du Lac Education Association (FEA) expresses its disappointment in the outcome of the 2025 April 1st School District Referendum. Despite extensive efforts by the FEA to inform the community and advocate for the benefits of funding current operations, taxpayers ultimately voted against its passage.

While this setback presents significant challenges, Fond du Lac educators remain committed to providing high-quality education for all students. The FEA urges the Fond du Lac School Board to approach necessary budget adjustments with a focus on minimizing the impact on staff positions that directly serve students. Additionally, the FEA requests that the board utilize general funds to help bridge the deficit in the 2025-2026 budget before considering more drastic budget cuts.

Looking ahead, the FEA, in collaboration with the school board and district administration, is dedicated to demonstrating fiscal responsibility to the community. Over the next year, necessary cuts will be made to work toward a balanced budget. The FEA anticipates that the district will seek taxpayer support for a future referendum in spring 2026 to prevent more severe budget reductions.

The Fond du Lac Education Association remains steadfast in its mission to support educators and students, advocating for the resources needed to maintain excellence in education. The FEA looks forward to continued dialogue with district leadership and the community as we work toward sustainable solutions.