Whitehall district taxes projected to increase

Taxpayers in the Whitehall School District can expect an increase in taxes, but district officials wanted to make it known that the increase isn’t their fault. 

While the amount may change slightly between now and Oct. 18 when the district budget is officially approved, district superintendent Mike Beighley said current projections show the levy growing from $2.58 million for 2022-23 to $3.2 million for 2023-24. The tax rate will go from $6.54 per $1,000 in equalized value to $7.52. 

Though the levy and rate are higher than last year, Beighley noted that the tax levy is comparable to what was paid for the 2021-22 school year with a considerably lower tax rate. A $3.19 million levy was approved that year with a rate of $9.02. The difference in tax rate is because district property values grew by about nine percent, Beighley said. 

Beighley said the drop in taxes last year and increase back to normal rates this year was predictable. While politicians touted a historic investment in public education in the previous budget cycle, Beighley said, that money went toward tax relief, not spendable dollars for schools. Districts had to use federal funds to make up for the lack of an increase in per pupil spending in the last budget. However, the federal money was no longer available in the current budget cycle. Beighley said that instead of using surplus money, the legislature moved the revenue limit forward “in essence, shifting that back to our local taxpayers.”

Beighley said it was important for the district to be clear that the increase was out of its control. 

 “(This is) exactly like we thought would happen, we would be pushed into a scenario where it would look like local government raised property taxes,” Beighley said. “This is directly related to the decisions made by the state legislature.” 

Beighely also updated the board regarding future school funding. In July, Gov. Tony Evers used his veto power to create school funding increases through 2425. The state senate voted to override Evers’ veto, but the assembly did not, therefore it remains in the budget. 

“We know the simple reality that any action by the next legislature will remove it,” Beighley said. “But I think the intent is to bring to the forefront the ongoing conversation about why every biannual budget do we have to discuss school funding? When, arguably, it is the biggest and most important economic driver in the state and in the nation.”

Beighley said the district’s enrollment is down seven students to 740, noting that enrollment has fluctuated every year. The drop could make the district eligible to receive a full amount of sparsity aid, which is generally awarded to districts with fewer than 745 students.

The district’s annual meeting will be held on Oct. 18.