Financial State of the District

Lake Country School District is at a critical financial crossroads. LCSD is facing a projected deficit of $212,000 for the 2025–26 school year – a budget gap that is expected to grow to approximately $500,000 in 2026–27.

Historically, overstaffing and post-employment benefits were major contributors to LCSD’s budget pressures. While we’ve carefully addressed those challenges in recent years, we still face financial pressures as the costs of classroom materials, transportation, and staffing continue to rise, while state statutes limit LCSD’s ability to fully cover these growing costs.

Planning for a Sustainable Future

The district operates as leanly as possible without compromising educational quality. The budget gap cannot be solved through reductions alone. To ensure our children continue to have access to high-quality, local education, LCSD must establish a plan for a sustainable financial future. The Board of Education is exploring all possible long-term options – including potential consolidation with neighboring districts. However, consolidation is a complex puzzle that can take three to four years to study, negotiate and implement.

Transitional Solution Needed

An immediate, temporary funding approach is now critical. To maintain operations while a long term plan is established, the Board is considering a limited, four-year operational referendum.

This temporary measure would provide essential funding to maintain appropriate student-teacher ratios, core programs and teaching staff, as well as stabilize district finances while the Board and community evaluate and advance long-term solutions.

Without funding to close the budget gap, Lake Country School District will not exist in our current form. Additional borrowing is not an option – some banks have already declined loan requests due to our projected financial outlook.

The district will be forced to undertake major structural changes, including potential dissolution – threatening the exceptional learning environment that has made Lake Country School the #1 Public K-8 School in Wisconsin and one of the highest-ranked in the country, according to 2026 Niche Rankings.

Inaction would deeply affect students, families and the community’s access to a local, high-quality education.

Public Process Timeline

A tentative timeline to review and consider potential action is as follows. Additional details and events will be incorporated as they become available.

Friday, November 21, 2025 at 8:15 a.m.
Coffee Conversation w/ Chad Schraufnagel, District Administrator

Bring your questions and learn more about the path forward for LCSD.

Lake Country School Library

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 8:15 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Financial State of the District
 

Presentation on the financial state of LCSD and the need for a transitional solution.

Location - Lake Country School, 1800 Vettelson Rd., Hartland, WI. 53029