Citizen Advocates for Public Education

09/03/2026

We must do better for our kids! "Due to chronic underfunding from the state legislature for the last two decades, students and educators are facing larger class sizes, crumbling infrastructure, and outdated resources as they return to classrooms this year."

09/02/2026

These Middle School students love their swag bags! Welcome, new L-Cats!

08/29/2026

We're excited to be gifting an L-Cat Swag Bag to students new to the district this year! Welcome, new L-Cats!

08/25/2026

Wondering about capital vs. operational referendums? Check out the brief video linked below to learn more.

Do you understand the difference between a capital vs operational school funding referendum? Almost every public school district across Wisconsin has held a referendum in the last 20 years due to the school funding crisis – get the facts on how they work: https://www.jsonline.com/videos/news/education/2026/07/15/what-should-you-know-before-voting-on-a-school-referendum/90929839007/

08/24/2026

Classrooms have been cleaned, trainings have been completed, lesson plans have been prepared, and materials have been organized. School begins tomorrow, Aug. 25. Here's to a great 2026-27 school year for all staff and students in LMASD!

08/22/2026

Plan to attend one of these sessions to learn more about the operational referendum, ask questions, and hear how the proposed funding could support our students, staff, and schools.
📅 Thursday, September 17
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills High School
📅 Wednesday, September 30
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Middle School
📅 Tuesday, October 13
5:00–6:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Elementary School

On Monday, August 17, the Lake Mills Area School District Board of Education voted unanimously, 5–0, to place an operational referendum on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

If approved by voters, the referendum would allow the district to exceed the state-imposed revenue limit by $2.9 million annually for four years. The funds would be used to:
✏️ Maintain student educational programs and class sizes
✏️ Retain high-quality teachers and staff
✏️ Support essential needs such as buses, technology and maintenance

The Lake Mills Area School District is one of the few school districts in Wisconsin that has gone more than a decade without asking its community to support an operational referendum, despite years of inadequate state funding.

The district has maintained financial stability through conservative budgeting, below-average teacher salaries, and refinancing existing debt to reduce costs. The district has now reached a point where further significant reductions would negatively impact class sizes, student opportunities, and essential programming.

This November, Lake Mills voters will have an important decision to make about the future of our schools and the resources available to students, teachers and staff. 💙💛

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙩. 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.
Join us to learn more about the operational referendum, ask questions, and hear how the proposed funding could support our students, staff, and schools.

📅 Thursday, September 17
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills High School

📅 Wednesday, September 30
6:00–7:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Middle School

📅 Tuesday, October 13
5:00–6:00 p.m. | Lake Mills Elementary School

07/27/2026

You're invited!! The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 4:00 p.m., followed by an open house from 4:00–6:00 p.m. We look forward to celebrating this next chapter in early learning at Lake Mills Area School District! 💙💛

We are excited to welcome our Lake Mills Community to the 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙞𝙗𝙗𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 at Lake Mills Elementary School on 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟰:𝟬𝟬—𝟲:𝟬𝟬 𝗽.𝗺.! 🎉

The final punch list is being completed, and we are putting the finishing touches on this incredible new space. We can’t wait to open the doors and celebrate this exciting addition with our students, families, staff, and community.

Join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:00 p.m., followed by an open house from 4:00–6:00 p.m. We look forward to celebrating this next chapter in early learning at Lake Mills Area School District! 💙💛

07/22/2026

Have you ever wondered why school budgets don’t decrease when enrollment declines?
It may seem like simple math: fewer students should mean lower costs, right? But the reality of operating a school district is much more complex than a simple head count.

Keeping our community informed about Lake Mills Area School District finances, funding, and state-level decisions impacting public education. 💙💛

𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 | 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁

Have you ever wondered why school budgets don’t decrease when enrollment declines?

It may seem like simple math: fewer students should mean lower costs, right? But the reality of operating a school district is much more complex than a simple head count.

Several factors impact why school costs remain steady even when enrollment changes:
🔹Fixed Costs Stay Fixed: If a classroom has 20 students instead of 25, the school still has to heat the room, light the building, and pay the teacher.
🔹Transportation Costs Remain Steady: Even when fewer students ride the bus, the district still must operate routes, maintain vehicles, and pay drivers. These costs are tied to transportation needs, not just the number of students transported.
🔹Student Needs Continue to Evolve: Our schools support students in many ways, providing resources such as mental health services, special education support, and additional academic interventions. These services require dedicated staff with specialized training to help meet student needs and support every student’s success.

Our Commitment to Responsible Stewardship
Lake Mills Area School District is committed to being responsible stewards of your tax dollars while continuing to meet student needs. The district regularly reviews staffing, programs, and resources to identify efficiencies and make thoughtful decisions. This includes:
🔹Optimizing staff placement through natural attrition, such as retirements and resignations.
🔹Consolidating roles when it makes educational and financial sense.
🔹Reviewing class sizes to ensure resources are balanced across our schools.

The Bottom Line: Running a school district is a balancing act. We continue to look for efficiencies while ensuring every student receives a high-quality, safe, and supportive education.

If you have questions, Ms. Tasha Naylor, our Director of Business Services, is happy to connect.

07/20/2026

Our kids are counting on us! We can and we must do more to fund the education Wisconsin public school students need to thrive.

Public school students, educators, and administrators are being forced to do more with less every year as the legislature fails to adequately fund public schools at pace with inflation. We can and we must do more to fund the education Wisconsin public school students need to thrive.

Do you have a story as a parent, educator, or student about how the school funding crisis has impacted you? Please take 2 minutes to share your experience and help us spread the word about the need to fund WI public schools: https://www.fundwipublicschools.org/story