Adams-Friendship Schools
Important Referendum Information
Dear AFASD Families and Students
On November 8th, residents of the Adams-Friendship Area School District (AFASD) will have an opportunity to invest in our students. AFASD is asking for tax funding over the next four years. These additional tax dollars will help the AFASD maintain the positive initiatives that have been implemented including low-class sizes, new reading and math curricula from 4K through 8th grade, one-to-one technology, nursing services, mental health services, and all co-curricular offerings (athletics and activities).
These additional funds are not for new buildings or any construction-related costs.
Despite significant cuts to the AFASD budget over the last decade, including closing elementary buildings, the current funding isn't enough to continue the existing educational opportunities needed for our students to remain competitive.
If the referendum fails, it will negatively impact the AFASD's ability to offer high-quality competitive educational programs and services. It will prevent the AFASD from attracting, hiring, and retaining first-class teachers and staff.
The Adams-Friendship Area School District (AFASD) is asking voters for tax funding over the next four years to maintain low-class sizes, quality educational programs, mental health supports, and co-curricular activities.
Every school district in the state of Wisconsin has a revenue limit.
A revenue limit is the amount of money the district can generate to fund its schools.
District revenue limits are not the same across the state.
Across Wisconsin, school referendums for basic budget expenses have hit a ten-year high!
Between the spring and fall elections of 2022, 92 districts within the state sought to raise funds above their state-mandated revenue limits.
Even with a Yes vote, the school portion of your property taxes will go down!
The final mill rate shows a $17 decrease (per $100,000 property value)
across the four years with an approved referendum.
WHAT IF THE REFERENDUM FAILS AND HOW MIGHT IT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY?
What happens to the school if the referendum doesn’t pass?
The School District will be insolvent for the 2024-2025 school year.
We will have to cut co-curricular offerings: band and music, art, career and tech classes (wood, welding, auto, home economics, business education, agriculture classes), FFA, athletic programs, after-school programming, musicals, forensics, etc.
We will also have to cut the service providers our students and families need (social workers, police resource officers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, the school nurse, etc…).
We will have to lay off teachers and increase class sizes to a very high level.
We will only offer a “bread and water” education.
These actions will make it more difficult for us to attract and retain teachers.
What happens to the community if the referendum doesn't pass?
- How will this impact economic development in the area?
- How will this impact the ability to attract new businesses to the area?
- How will this impact the ability to attract and retain employees in the area?
- How will this impact the ability to attract younger families to live in the area?
- How will this impact existing businesses?
- How will this impact the ability to maintain our infrastructure?
- How will this impact the ability to provide services to the community (police, fire, recreation, social services)?
- How will this impact local retailers, local restaurants, and local service providers?