TOMAHAWK – The School District of Tomahawk Board of Education last week approved the final district budget and tax levy for the 2026-27 school year.
The board gave the green light to the budget and levy during a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
A release from the district said the 2026-27 levy “reflects several financial challenges, including a significant increase in required payments to support tuition for qualifying students attending private schools through Wisconsin's school voucher programs.”
“During the 2025-26 school year, district taxpayers contributed $243,645 toward these payments,” the district explained. “For 2026-27, that amount has increased to $323,323, representing an additional $79,678, or approximately 32.7%.”
The district noted that another factor impacting the tax levy is the state-mandated 15% annual reduction in the district's existing general state aid. The district no longer qualifies for new general equalization aid, which traditionally helps offset the local property tax burden, according to the release.
“Wisconsin's general aid formula considers several factors, including student enrollment and equalized property values across the district's 11 townships,” the district stated. “Significant increases in property values in recent years, combined with declining student enrollment, have resulted in a higher property valuation per student. Consequently, the district no longer qualifies for additional aid under the state's funding formula.”
The release said that under the state's “hold-harmless” provision, the district's existing general aid is reduced by 15% annually, rather than eliminated immediately.
“While general aid does not increase the district's overall spending authority, it does reduce the portion of that funding that must be supported by local property taxpayers,” the district said. “As this aid continues to decline, a greater share of the district's funding responsibility shifts to local taxpayers.”
Despite these financial pressures, the district said, the board approved a 2026-27 school tax levy of $15,309,408, which is $250,000 below the district's maximum allowable levy. The district said this “continues a deliberate effort to balance the district's financial needs with its responsibility to local taxpayers.”
“Over the past five budget cycles, the district has consistently levied less than the maximum amount permitted by the state, resulting in a cumulative reduction of approximately $1.7 million in property taxes compared to what could have been levied,” the district stated.
According to the release, maintaining a competitive compensation and benefits structure that allows the district to attract and retain high-quality employees remains a top priority. At the same time, the district noted, rising operational costs and changes in state funding continue to create significant budgetary challenges.
The district said it believes the approved spending plan “strikes an appropriate balance between supporting the educational needs of our students, maintaining a strong and competitive workforce, and remaining mindful of the financial responsibility placed on our local taxpayers.”
The district's 2026-27 equalized tax rate is $5.15 per $1,000 of equalized property value, representing the lowest equalized tax rate in district history, according to the release.
The district noted that it is “important to recognize” that equalized tax rate is calculated using the combined equalized property values of all 11 townships within the district. Individual property tax impacts may vary depending on local assessed values, municipal adjustments and other factors, the district added.
“The School District of Tomahawk remains committed to responsible financial stewardship, transparency and providing high-quality educational opportunities for every student while recognizing the importance of maintaining an affordable tax burden for our community,” the district stated.
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