Southern Door County School District announces round of cuts to balance '26-'27 budget, May 7, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
BRUSSELS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — After voters turned down a referendum last month, the Southern Door County School District says it will have to make cuts.
56% of voters said “no” to a three-year operational referendum worth $3 million per year.
“I’ll speak on behalf of myself, but I’m assuming most of our school staff and parents in our school community are disappointed that the referendum didn’t pass. I mean, we respect the community’s decision. They have spoken,” said Superintendent Kevin Krutzik.
The district’s administration and school board decided what to reduce. The cuts will save approximately $1.7 million and balance the district’s budget next school year.
“We’re trying to do the best we can, again, to try to have the most minimal impact on our academics and the programs and services that we provide to our students,” said Krutzik.
The cuts include more than a dozen staff positions, multiple athletic teams and an employee pay freeze.
Here is how the district breaks down the savings:
Employee reductions
Approximately $1,029,011
- K-5 elementary teacher (1)
- FCS Teacher (0.29 full-time equivalent)
- Middle school art teacher (1)
- Middle school social studies teacher (1)
- High school social studies teacher (1)
- High school math teacher (1)
- High school English teacher (1)
- High school tech ed teacher (1)
- High school phy ed teacher (1)
- School psychologist (0.5 FTE)
- Associates (5)
- Replace contracted nurse with RN on staff
“Most of it is going to be through attrition, like retirements, people resigning. There’s been a little bit of movement. We did have one employee who did receive a non-renewal,” said Krutzik.
Compensation reductions
Approximately $210,000
- Pay freeze for all employees, including administration
- Health insurance provider and plan design changes
- Reduction in paid hours for summer curriculum work
Program reductions
Approximately $400,230
- Student resource officer (SRO) contract savings with sheriff’s department
- Move community offerings program expenses to Fund 80
- Reduce co-curricular assignment pay by 15%
- Limit travel distance for co-curricular events
- Delay replacement of athletic equipment/uniforms
- Eliminate boys/girls swim (pending alternative funding sources)
- Eliminate boys volleyball (pending alternative funding sources)
- Eliminate JV2 basketball/volleyball (pending alternative funding sources)
Despite SRO savings, Krutzik said there won’t be any security changes in school.
“He’ll be here every day, all day, but just a little bit of savings in terms of what the district has to pay towards having that service,” he explained.
Technology reductions
Approximately $75,700
- Delay replacement of student devices, computers and related infrastructure
- IT managed services contract savings
Curriculum/Resource reductions
Approximately $61,588
- Reduce learning resources and materials for students and teachers
- Eliminate 15 days of onsite support from CESA 7 contract
- Reduction in program supply costs due to reduced courses in Family/Consumer Sciences and Technical Education
Krutzik said he assumes the district will pursue another referendum at some point in the future. The district has been operating under a three-year referendum worth $975,000 per year. That referendum expires June 30.
Comments