Who runs Holmen schools and how are they paid for?
Large formula-funded district that relies on voter-approved referendums
The School District of Holmen serves about 3,860 students and is run by a seven-member elected Board of Education. State aid and local property taxes pay for most costs, but a state limit caps how much the district can raise locally. Voters can approve extra spending above that cap in an operating referendum.
Governance
Jennifer Dieck is board president and Chris Lau vice president on a seven-member elected board; Dr. Kristin Mueller is District Administrator. Two seats (Dieck and Lau) have terms ending April 2027.
Where the money comes from
State aid and local property taxes, limited by a state revenue limit. Voters have approved extra spending above that limit by referendum, including a 2022 facilities referendum and the $4.525 million-a-year question in April 2026.
Budget pressure
The district offered a retirement incentive for 15 educators for 2025-26 and a projected general fund surplus for 2026-27 of $440,975.
Meetings
The board meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of most months, with committees on policy, finance, wellness, instruction and family partnerships.
These figures come from agendas and minutes. The adopted budget, tax levy and referendum vote totals were not in the collected records.
Where the district stands
Students enrolled (federal data)context
3,860 students
Operating referendum: extra spending per year for five years from 2026-27 (April 7, 2026 ballot)verified
4,525,000 dollars
Proposed 2026-27 general fund revenue (surplus of $440,975 projected)verified
62,189,768 dollars
State report card score, district (Exceeds Expectations)verified
79.8 score
Major projects
2026 operating referendum projects
on the April 7, 2026 ballot; later board items fund projects from it
The board asked voters to approve $4.525 million a year for operations, maintenance, safety and programs. Afterward the board began bidding referendum-funded projects such as a new bus and door access, camera and bus security upgrades.
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Board approves referendum resolutions
Referendum on the ballot
Bid information for door access, cameras and bus security
Bid recommendation due on the board agenda
Funding
Local property taxes above the state revenue limit, per year for five years (voter approval)
2026-27 budget
original budget and tax levy scheduled for Oct. 26, 2026
The proposed general fund budget projects a surplus of $440,975, down from a $564,815 surplus projected in June. The district also plans to pay off part of its 2025 facility bonds early to save an estimated $2.78 million in interest.
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Preliminary budget
Proposed budget
Budget hearing, annual meeting and tax levy certification (agenda)
Funding
General fund revenue (proposed)
2022 referendum building projects
under way
Roof work at Sand Lake and Viking Elementary was awarded for $1,845,875, and a $258,000 chiller replacement at Sand Lake was bid in January.
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Sand Lake chiller bid $258,000
Roof bid awarded to Ledegar Roofing
Funding
2022 referendum (roof bid)
Local elections & school board members
Elections & votes
Board electionScheduled
Holmen school board spring election
Two seats (terms of Jennifer Dieck and Chris Lau end April 2027) are expected on the April 6, 2027 ballot. The district says election information will be posted in mid-November 2026.
Operating referendum: exceed revenue limit by $4,525,000 a year for five years
$4,525,000
Would fund operations, maintenance, safety and programs from 2026-27. Board minutes after the vote refer to a '2026 Referendum' funding security upgrades; vote totals not collected.
Built from 45 posted agendas, 33 sets of minutes and notes, and two board policies, covering Nov. 2025 to Nov. 2026.
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