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Each student, every time, empowered to succeed.

Understanding School Finance & Funding

Understanding Your MTSD Property Tax Bill

State Funding & Your Property Taxes

Wisconsin public schools are funded through a combination of state funding and local property taxes. The state funding formula considers property values within each school district when distributing state equalization aid. Because the Mequon-Thiensville School District (MTSD) has high property values per student, it receives comparatively little state equalization aid. As a result, local property taxes fund a larger share of the revenue MTSD is permitted to raise under Wisconsin's revenue-limit system.

Approximately 97¢ of every $1 of MTSD revenue-limit funding comes from local property taxes, while approximately 3¢ comes from state general aid.

Wisconsin law establishes a revenue limit that generally controls the combined amount a school district may receive from state general aid and local property taxes. More state equalization aid generally means less of that allowable amount must be collected from local property taxpayers.

Additional state aid alone, however, does not necessarily provide MTSD with additional operating revenue. Sustainable replacement of locally approved operating-referendum funding would also require sufficient ongoing revenue authority under state law.

 

Impact of Private School Vouchers

Under Wisconsin law, MTSD's property-tax levy includes amounts associated with students participating in state-authorized private school choice and special needs scholarship programs that are not part of the school district. For 2026-2027, approximately $2.07 million is attributable to these programs, or about $0.26 per $1,000 of property value. These amounts are included in the District's tax levy but are not available for MTSD's public-school operations.

How State Policy Can Affect Local School Taxes

  1. Special Education Funding: When state and federal reimbursement does not cover the full cost of required special education services, MTSD must use General Fund resources to cover the remaining cost. Higher state reimbursement would reduce the amount that must be supported with other District resources.
  2. Revenue Limits and State Aid: Wisconsin's revenue-limit system determines how much operating revenue school districts may raise through the combination of state general aid and local property taxes. Increasing revenue authority without corresponding state funding can increase reliance on local property taxes; increasing state aid within the revenue limit can reduce the local share.

Because the state funding formula has not kept pace with rising costs, state lawmakers must act immediately to ensure long-term budget balance. Strong public schools and property tax relief are not mutually exclusive; we remain dedicated to advocating for state solutions that achieve both. 

 

Community Investment & Student Success

November 2024 Operational Referendum

In November 2024, MTSD voters approved $26.4 million in temporary additional operating revenue over four years because the District's state-authorized revenue was insufficient to support its operating budget. Your investment in our schools directly sustains high-quality public education and helps MTSD navigate persistent inflationary pressures on transportation, utilities, health care, and facilities maintenance. We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support of our public schools!

As the 2024 operational referendum approaches expiration in 2028, decisions made in Madison regarding both school revenue limits and state funding will help determine how much funding must continue to come from local property taxpayers.

Where Your Investment Goes

  • Supports instructional and student support resources, programming, and staffing that drive top-tier student achievement statewide.
  • Ensures competitive compensation and professional support needed to recruit and retain premier teaching talent in southeast Wisconsin.
  • Helps maintain safety and everyday upkeep across our schools, protecting community assets while addressing aging infrastructure and essential building needs.