Learn More School Districts of Loyal and Greenwood CALL Chris Lindner at 715.255.8552 EMAIL chrislindner@loyal.k12.wi.us VISIT www.loyal.k12.wi.us FACEBOOK @ loyalschools CALL Joe Green at 715.267.6101 EMAIL jogreen@greenwood.k12.wi.us VISIT www.greenwood.k12.wi.us FACEBOOK @ greenwoodwi LOYAL | G REENWOOD Consolidation FAQ pages Welcome to our information pages about the possible joining of Loyal and Greenwood School Districts. This document will be updated regularly on our websites, as new questions come up. If you want to ask something about the April 1 ballot question, or the potential district merger, please go to the following school websites: Loyal (loyal.k12.wi.us/quicklinks/referendum) or Greenwood (greenwood.k12.wi.us/page/advisory-ref). Question 1: Why are the two school districts considering consolidation? As both districts are faced with challenges dealing with staffing, increasing costs, declining enrollment, and higher demands for college and career readiness, conversations have grown around the idea of consolidation and how consolidating could have a positive impact on all students from both communities. Loyal and Greenwood are ideal candidates for consolidation due to the close proximity, similar mill rates, and the fact that both districts are debt free. Question 2: Will we still need taxpayer support for operational referendum dollars in a consolidated district? Because of the outdated funding formula that is still based on what districts spent in 1993, continued declining enrollment, the obligation to provide special education services, and the commitment to provide all students with a rigorous, balanced education, an operational referendum will likely still be needed whether the districts are consolidated or not. In a consolidated district, there would be significant cost savings in duplicative administration and staffing positions, contracted services, licensing and software, and co-curricular activities. These savings likely would surpass $1 million. This would then decrease the amount of the needed operational referendum for all residents, as the tax burden will be shared more broadly. Question 3: Will a consolidated district change where students attend school? The joint board has decided that discussions about facilities and potential changes to the structure of facilities will wait until after the districts consolidate. In the event of consolidation, the new district could maintain current operation while still capturing the savings listed in question two. This would allow the new consolidated district to study and involve the whole community in strategic planning and make decisions together, in the best interest of all students. In reality, the consolidated district may operate for several years without making major changes to facility use or assignments. In the past, discussions about locations of buildings have halted discussions and changed the focus away from what is best for all students. A consolidated school district will give more flexibility to the district in creating courses and allowing students to attend a bigger variety of courses regardless of the building they are offered in, giving all students more opportunities. Question 4: Can the boards of education make a decision to consolidate without public input? Each school board has the authority to pass a resolution of consolidation without a binding ballot referendum. If both boards decide to do that, the residents of either district can petition for a referendum question. The petition requires signatures from 10% of the voting population in the most recent governor election. If a petition is filed, both districts would be required to add a binding question to the next election. Both boards have stated several times that they want community input on this decision. There was an informal survey in 2024 and now a formal non-binding question on the April 1 ballot. Both districts would have to approve the resolution in order for consolidation to move forward. Question 5: What are the enrollment projections for both districts? At right are the current enrollment numbers for both districts. This only includes grades 4K-8, as current high school students would likely be graduated by the time a consolidation could occur. This also includes class averages. These class sizes are subject to change as families may move in and out of the district. Question 6: Programs that are currently shared or in co-op between Loyal and Greenwood? •College English, 11th grade •Body Structures (dual credit science class) •Technology Education courses — construction, welding, CADD classes •Drama — one-act play and three-act play •Middle and high school cross country — boys and girls •Middle and high school football •Middle and high school wrestling — additionally co-oped with Neillsville •Middle and high school softball •Middle school baseball •Middle school track •High school marching band •Summer recreation — softball and baseball •Athletic trainer •Cheerleading •School counselor •FFA organizations work together: teaching tractor safety and sharing transportation to local, state, and national events •Joint professional development •Title I reading specialist • Share the same busing service Question 7: There was a community survey done in 2023. What were the results? Question in 2023: Do you support the consolidation of the School District of Loyal with the School District of Greenwood? Greenwood and Loyal combined results: yes, 417; no, 150; 567 total. Answered yes: Greenwood response, 153; Loyal response, 264; Answered no: Greenwood response, 64; Loyal response, 86; total Greenwood results: 217; total Loyal results: 350. 166537 Question 8: How does staffing compare to other districts of similar size? Comparable size district staffing budget (Staffing goal through natural attrition) Salaries: Loyal staffing - 3.8 million, Greenwood staffing - 3.2 million, combined staffing - 7 million; Whitehall - 6 million; Neillsville - 5.4 million; Stratford - 5. 7 million; Cadott - 6.9 million; Osseo - 6.8 million; average - 6.1 million. Question 9: What is the history of operational referendums for both districts? In 2005, Greenwood passed a $500,000 operating referendum. That has grown to $1,725,000 in 2027. In 2014, Loyal passed a $195,000 operating referedum. That has grown to $1,500,000 in 2027. For more specific information, please contact the district office or visit the school’s website for this information. Question 10: What are the revenue limits and enrollment trends over the last 5-10 years? Please contact the district office or visit the school’s webiste for this information. Question 11:. What is the timeline for a consolidation? Potential joint board timeline for consolidation April 1, 2025: Advisory referendum question — “Do you support the work of the (Loyal/ Greenwood) school board to consolidate with the School District of (Loyal/Greenwood)? Cost - About $4,000 per district (Quarles and Brady) If a majority is yes December 2026 — Both boards adopt a resolution to start an 18-month process for consolidation. December 2026-July 2028 — Work as a joint board to make consolidation adjustments and prepare for a consolidated district; no facility changes; staffing reductions through attrition 2028-2029 — First year as a consolidated district; all individual referendum dollars cease; new board will engage in strategic planning as a consolidated district to look at facilities, services, staffing, and needs to include the consolidated community input. November of 2028 (beginning of school year) — Consolidated district operational referendum on ballot; should be significantly less than current dollars in both districts; the referendum process starts earlier in the school year. Question 12: What are some potential concerns of consolidation? There have been some concerns of consolidation shared with both boards. We will continue to provide facts surrounding these concerns. We will continue to add to this list as they are shared. Unfortunately, we may not have answers to all, but we will continue to add factual information to this document. • transportation • location of schools • colors and mascots • name Question 13: What is the private school voucher aid deduction? Private school vouchers are grants for a Loyal School District resident to go to a private school. Loyal has vouchers for $125,000 for Loyal residents for school aged students to go to a private school. This is approximately 11 students. This creates a decrease in our revenues and comes out of Fund 10. Greenwood has $0 in vouchers. Question 14: In a consolidated school, will Loyal and Greenwood’s Sparsity Aid go down? Sparsity Aid is based on total enrollment. With the enrollment projections, it is likely that a consolidated district would continue to receive Sparsity Aid at the same level both districts do today. Question 15: The state consolidation grants seem significantly lower than the last time we looked at consolidating. Is this because we are significantly smaller now? The state has decreased the amount awarded per pupil significantly in the last few years. Now a consolidated district will receive $150 per student. This was much higher years ago and is not a priority for the state. Question 16: What is the impact on the mill rate? Projected mill rate is calulated based on revenue limit authority and referendum-approved and community services levies and the combine TIF-Out equalized value. The hypothetical consolidated scenario does not include operating referendum authority that exists for the individual district represented over a similar period of time. Question 17: What is consolidation aid? A consolidated district would recieve $150 per student for each of the first five years. After year five, that amount would be reduced in stages. Question 18: How would consolidation impact staffing? Some of the biggest cost savings would come from eliminating duplicative positions. There are a number of positions in each district, that as a consolidated district, there would only be a need for one. The superintendent role is an example of this. The joint board has talked mostly about letting natural attrition work to reduce staff to a sustainable level given the budget. In a consolidated district there are opportunities to utilize staff more efficiently. For example, some advanced classes have smaller class sizes in both districts. In a consolidated district, that may only be one section, thus creating great efficiency for staff to offer other course opportunities. Question 19: Do they have two different food service programs in Greenwood? I would think that this service being in one place would also be a big benefit. Greenwood has one food service program. There is a kitchen at the elementary school that prepares food and a kitchen at the high school that prepares food. Both kitchens have been in place for many years. Greenwood food service employs one full-time director and two part-time employees. Consolidation FAQs continued on page 11 Enrollment Projections Grade Loyal Greenwood Total 4K 23 24 47 5K 29 18 47 1 29 18 47 2 19 25 44 3 32 21 53 4 30 25 55 5 26 25 51 6 40 22 62 7 31 25 56 8 39 24 63 298 227 Avg. class size 4K-8 29 23 Avg. class size 4K-5 26 22 Consolidation Study Fiscal Detail PY2 PY1 CONSLD Y1 CNSLD Y2 CNSLD Y3 CNSLD Y4 Greenwood $7.24 $7.51 $8.09 $9.35 $9.40 $9.68 Loyal $6.08 $7.14 $7.88 $7.87 $8.20 $8.22 Hypothetical consolidated $— $— $3.99 $4.00 $4.14 $4.43 Learn More School Districts of Loyal and Greenwood CALL Chris Lindner at 715.255.8552 EMAIL chrislindner@loyal.k12.wi.us VISIT www.loyal.k12.wi.us FACEBOOK @ loyalschools CALL Joe Green at 715.267.6101 EMAIL jogreen@greenwood.k12.wi.us VISIT www.greenwood.k12.wi.us FACEBOOK @ greenwoodwi LOYAL | G REENWOOD Consolidation FAQ pages Welcome to our information pages about the possible joining of Loyal and Greenwood School Districts. This document will be updated regularly on our websites, as new questions come up. If you want to ask something about the April 1 ballot question, or the potential district merger, please go to the following school websites: Loyal (loyal.k12.wi.us/quicklinks/referendum) or Greenwood (greenwood.k12.wi.us/page/advisory-ref). Question 1: Why are the two school districts considering consolidation? As both districts are faced with challenges dealing with staffing, increasing costs, declining enrollment, and higher demands for college and career readiness, conversations have grown around the idea of consolidation and how consolidating could have a positive impact on all students from both communities. Loyal and Greenwood are ideal candidates for consolidation due to the close proximity, similar mill rates, and the fact that both districts are debt free. Question 2: Will we still need taxpayer support for operational referendum dollars in a consolidated district? Because of the outdated funding formula that is still based on what districts spent in 1993, continued declining enrollment, the obligation to provide special education services, and the commitment to provide all students with a rigorous, balanced education, an operational referendum will likely still be needed whether the districts are consolidated or not. In a consolidated district, there would be significant cost savings in duplicative administration and staffing positions, contracted services, licensing and software, and co-curricular activities. These savings likely would surpass $1 million. This would then decrease the amount of the needed operational referendum for all residents, as the tax burden will be shared more broadly. Question 3: Will a consolidated district change where students attend school? The joint board has decided that discussions about facilities and potential changes to the structure of facilities will wait until after the districts consolidate. In the event of consolidation, the new district could maintain current operation while still capturing the savings listed in question two. This would allow the new consolidated district to study and involve the whole community in strategic planning and make decisions together, in the best interest of all students. In reality, the consolidated district may operate for several years without making major changes to facility use or assignments. In the past, discussions about locations of buildings have halted discussions and changed the focus away from what is best for all students. A consolidated school district will give more flexibility to the district in creating courses and allowing students to attend a bigger variety of courses regardless of the building they are offered in, giving all students more opportunities. Question 4: Can the boards of education make a decision to consolidate without public input? Each school board has the authority to pass a resolution of consolidation without a binding ballot referendum. If both boards decide to do that, the residents of either district can petition for a referendum question. The petition requires signatures from 10% of the voting population in the most recent governor election. If a petition is filed, both districts would be required to add a binding question to the next election. Both boards have stated several times that they want community input on this decision. There was an informal survey in 2024 and now a formal non-binding question on the April 1 ballot. Both districts would have to approve the resolution in order for consolidation to move forward. Question 5: What are the enrollment projections for both districts? At right are the current enrollment numbers for both districts. This only includes grades 4K-8, as current high school students would likely be graduated by the time a consolidation could occur. This also includes class averages. These class sizes are subject to change as families may move in and out of the district. Question 6: Programs that are currently shared or in co-op between Loyal and Greenwood? •College English, 11th grade •Body Structures (dual credit science class) •Technology Education courses — construction, welding, CADD classes •Drama — one-act play and three-act play •Middle and high school cross country — boys and girls •Middle and high school football •Middle and high school wrestling — additionally co-oped with Neillsville •Middle and high school softball •Middle school baseball •Middle school track •High school marching band •Summer recreation — softball and baseball •Athletic trainer •Cheerleading •School counselor •FFA organizations work together: teaching tractor safety and sharing transportation to local, state, and national events •Joint professional development •Title I reading specialist • Share the same busing service Question 7: There was a community survey done in 2023. What were the results? Question in 2023: Do you support the consolidation of the School District of Loyal with the School District of Greenwood? Greenwood and Loyal combined results: yes, 417; no, 150; 567 total. Answered yes: Greenwood response, 153; Loyal response, 264; Answered no: Greenwood response, 64; Loyal response, 86; total Greenwood results: 217; total Loyal results: 350. 166537 Question 8: How does staffing compare to other districts of similar size? Comparable size district staffing budget (Staffing goal through natural attrition) Salaries: Loyal staffing - 3.8 million, Greenwood staffing - 3.2 million, combined staffing - 7 million; Whitehall - 6 million; Neillsville - 5.4 million; Stratford - 5. 7 million; Cadott - 6.9 million; Osseo - 6.8 million; average - 6.1 million. Question 9: What is the history of operational referendums for both districts? In 2005, Greenwood passed a $500,000 operating referendum. That has grown to $1,725,000 in 2027. In 2014, Loyal passed a $195,000 operating referedum. That has grown to $1,500,000 in 2027. For more specific information, please contact the district office or visit the school’s website for this information. Question 10: What are the revenue limits and enrollment trends over the last 5-10 years? Please contact the district office or visit the school’s webiste for this information. Question 11:. What is the timeline for a consolidation? Potential joint board timeline for consolidation April 1, 2025: Advisory referendum question — “Do you support the work of the (Loyal/ Greenwood) school board to consolidate with the School District of (Loyal/Greenwood)? Cost - About $4,000 per district (Quarles and Brady) If a majority is yes December 2026 — Both boards adopt a resolution to start an 18-month process for consolidation. December 2026-July 2028 — Work as a joint board to make consolidation adjustments and prepare for a consolidated district; no facility changes; staffing reductions through attrition 2028-2029 — First year as a consolidated district; all individual referendum dollars cease; new board will engage in strategic planning as a consolidated district to look at facilities, services, staffing, and needs to include the consolidated community input. November of 2028 (beginning of school year) — Consolidated district operational referendum on ballot; should be significantly less than current dollars in both districts; the referendum process starts earlier in the school year. Question 12: What are some potential concerns of consolidation? There have been some concerns of consolidation shared with both boards. We will continue to provide facts surrounding these concerns. We will continue to add to this list as they are shared. Unfortunately, we may not have answers to all, but we will continue to add factual information to this document. • transportation • location of schools • colors and mascots • name Question 13: What is the private school voucher aid deduction? Private school vouchers are grants for a Loyal School District resident to go to a private school. Loyal has vouchers for $125,000 for Loyal residents for school aged students to go to a private school. This is approximately 11 students. This creates a decrease in our revenues and comes out of Fund 10. Greenwood has $0 in vouchers. Question 14: In a consolidated school, will Loyal and Greenwood’s Sparsity Aid go down? Sparsity Aid is based on total enrollment. With the enrollment projections, it is likely that a consolidated district would continue to receive Sparsity Aid at the same level both districts do today. Question 15: The state consolidation grants seem significantly lower than the last time we looked at consolidating. Is this because we are significantly smaller now? The state has decreased the amount awarded per pupil significantly in the last few years. Now a consolidated district will receive $150 per student. This was much higher years ago and is not a priority for the state. Question 16: What is the impact on the mill rate? Projected mill rate is calulated based on revenue limit authority and referendum-approved and community services levies and the combine TIF-Out equalized value. The hypothetical consolidated scenario does not include operating referendum authority that exists for the individual district represented over a similar period of time. Question 17: What is consolidation aid? A consolidated district would recieve $150 per student for each of the first five years. After year five, that amount would be reduced in stages. Question 18: How would consolidation impact staffing? Some of the biggest cost savings would come from eliminating duplicative positions. There are a number of positions in each district, that as a consolidated district, there would only be a need for one. The superintendent role is an example of this. The joint board has talked mostly about letting natural attrition work to reduce staff to a sustainable level given the budget. In a consolidated district there are opportunities to utilize staff more efficiently. For example, some advanced classes have smaller class sizes in both districts. In a consolidated district, that may only be one section, thus creating great efficiency for staff to offer other course opportunities. Question 19: Do they have two different food service programs in Greenwood? I would think that this service being in one place would also be a big benefit. Greenwood has one food service program. There is a kitchen at the elementary school that prepares food and a kitchen at the high school that prepares food. Both kitchens have been in place for many years. Greenwood food service employs one full-time director and two part-time employees. Consolidation FAQs continued on page 11 Enrollment Projections Grade Loyal Greenwood Total 4K 23 24 47 5K 29 18 47 1 29 18 47 2 19 25 44 3 32 21 53 4 30 25 55 5 26 25 51 6 40 22 62 7 31 25 56 8 39 24 63 298 227 Avg. class size 4K-8 29 23 Avg. class size 4K-5 26 22 Consolidation Study Fiscal Detail PY2 PY1 CONSLD Y1 CNSLD Y2 CNSLD Y3 CNSLD Y4 Greenwood $7.24 $7.51 $8.09 $9.35 $9.40 $9.68 Loyal $6.08 $7.14 $7.88 $7.87 $8.20 $8.22 Hypothetical consolidated $— $— $3.99 $4.00 $4.14 $4.43
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