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District overview

Solon Springs School District

Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.

Editorial graphic for Solon Springs School District
Editorial caption by Our School Board; base: Paul Emmert · public-domain

How is Solon Springs School District paid for?

Small formula-funded district with declining enrollment, heavy open-enrollment income and a maximum levy

Wisconsin caps what districts can raise through the state revenue limit. Solon Springs' budget presentation says funding depends on enrollment, property values, state equalization aid, revenue limit adjustments, referendums and operating costs. Open enrollment tuition is a large revenue line, and the district levied the maximum allowed for 2026-27.

Budget

The proposed 2026-27 budget is $7,612,848, up 1.4%, with a $95,018 deficit. Last year's budget assumed a $19,841 deficit and now shows a $395,511.91 surplus.

Property tax

The property tax line is $2,998,664, up from $2,851,478. The proposed mill rate is $6.49.

Open enrollment

General instruction open enrollment tuition is budgeted at $857,506, up from $787,338.

Referendum

The district says a referendum would likely raise property taxes; a capital referendum may move to April 2027.

None of this means the district is in trouble: last year ended with a surplus. Levy exemptions such as the enrollment adjustment offset some lost revenue from declining enrollment.

Where the district stands

Proposed 2026-27 budgetverified
7,612,848 USD
2026-27 property tax levy lineverified
2,998,664 USD
Proposed 2026-27 mill rateverified
6.49 USD per $1,000

Major projects

Superintendent transition

complete; new superintendent started July 1, 2026

Hopke resigned in December 2025; interviews and a contract approval ran March to April 2026.

Next: [object Object]
  1. Resignation accepted
  2. Contract meeting
  3. Kelly Ryder starts

Funding

Not stated

Capital referendum

discussed; may move to April 2027

The board discussed postponing the ballot to April 2027 with a resolution in January 2027.

Next: [object Object]
  1. Postponement discussed

Funding

Property tax if approved

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Resources

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Built from BoardDocs agendas, minutes and attachments plus YouTube meeting recordings (November 2025 to November 2026).

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