CUBA CITY, Wis. – The state budget was the focus of Aaron Olson’s report to the Cuba City School Board during its regular meeting on Aug. 16. Olson, Cuba City School District superintendent, informed the board that the district’s real estate valuation is estimated to increase. “The estimate says that our valuation is going to go up about 9.2 percent,” he said, noting, the official numbers will be submitted Oct. 15.
All the property in the district is now valued at $470 million, compared to $431 million, one year ago. In 2017-18 the property valuation was $332 million. “It has gone up a lot,” said Olson, noting the increase is due to a variety of factors, including new residential construction, new businesses, and overall increased property values.
Olson went on to explain that even though the property is worth more and the school district has a lower mill rate (the percent district residents get taxed), the school portion of the tax bill may increase. He noted that last year the school portion of the tax rate for one municipality in the district increased 20 percent, while another municipality saw its tax rate decline nine percent. “That is the really confusing part,” said Olson, noting the district sets the mill rate, which then goes to the state and back to the county to determine “which municipality funds which part of that.”
“Even though we set a mill rate for our community, that really doesn’t mean we set the property tax,” explained Olson. “That is one piece of the puzzle.”
Olson highlighted the announcement by A.Y. McDonald to build a foundry in Dickeyville, with an estimated value of $100 million. “That doesn’t mean the Cuba City School District will get a lot more money,” he said. “It’s great for the school and it’s great for the entire community. When assessed value goes up a lot, the tax that everybody pays is more distributed at a lower amount.”
The foundry project is included in a Tax Increment District (TID), which means the taxes will not be realized for the taxing entities for 10 years, when the TID expires.
“Special thanks to the village board of Dickeyville,” said Olson. “I know they put a lot of time into that. Village President, Matt Gantenbein, I know Jeff Kaiser was involved with it, as well. A lot of people involved there that made this happen. That’s great for the future of the Cuba City School District. We certainly appreciate that.”
Olson noted, there is an increase in sparsity aid this year, as well as transportation aid from the state.
In addition, open enrollment last year showed 119 students into the district, while 66 students open enrolled out of the district, a net-positive of 53 students. In 2017-18, that number was negative eight.
• In other business, the board:
• Approved the environmental branding proposal from Bray Architects.
• Approved the date and time for the September regular board meeting for Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
• Approved the date and time of the 2024 senior class overnight trip to the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
• Approved the WIN student/parent handbook. There is a temporary trailer near the middle school to administer the program.
• Approved the retirement of paraeducator, Pam Kieler, as of Sept. 7, 2023.
• Approved the resignation of Julie Johll as high school business teacher.
• Approved the liquidated damage agreement with Julie Johll.
• Approved the resignation of Amelia Hook as elementary school counselor.
• Approved the resignation of Aaron Kaiser as a paid high school assistant football coach.
• Approved the hiring of Joann Jansen as a new paraprofessional.
• Approved the hiring of Andrea Ackerman as the new 4K teacher at the elementary school.
• Approved the hiring of Austin Simons as the new high school business teacher.
• Approved Mason Erschen as an assistant high school football coach.
• Approved Megan Rojemann as assistant high school volleyball coach.
• Approved Aaron Kaiser as a volunteer high school football coach.
