Budget Cuts Will Be Needed At Southwestern Schools

Southwestern Wisconsin School District leaders will have to find ways to make significant budget cuts in the upcoming school year after voters this week rejected a $3.9 million ballot measure that would have helped cover standard operating costs. The operating referendum was rejected on Tuesday’s municipal ballot, with 600 people voting against it and 588 voting in favor. The measure needed a simple majority to pass. In a report, Superintendent John Costello said the voters’ decision was disheartening. Without the additional revenue from the ballot measure, he said, the district will have to find ways to significantly reduce some of its largest expenses, including salaries, benefits and purchased services.