A group of Owen-Withee citizens has formed a committee to support the needs of the O-W Community. To date, they number almost 50 concerned citizens. At present their focus is on presenting the facts about the upcoming operational referendum for the Owen-Withee School District to help voters make an informed choice on November 5.

Their first event is a Tailgate Party before the Homecoming Football game on September 27. Join them at the Wells Learning Center from 5-6:30 p.m. for hot dogs, chips, water and cookies, and an opportunity to learn and ask questions about the referendum. You can park at the high school and catch a shuttle ride to the Wells Learning Center. Signs supporting the referendum will also be available for purchase.

The committee wants to remind everyone that they will still have to pay school taxes, even if they aren’t paying them locally, and a number of surrounding school districts have higher school tax levies than O-W does. Owen-Withee is not the only school district in the state going for an operational referendum this fall. They are just one of 80 because school funding is not keeping up with inflation. Even with the referendum, the mill rate is expected to go down, although final numbers will not be available until the annual meeting on October 21. You can also find more information about the referendum on the school’s website

In addition, you can visit with them at the Farmers Market/Autumnfest on September 28 and the Harvest Festival at Munson Bridge Winery on October 12. There will be information available on the referendum at Parent-Teacher conferences in October.

To purchase yard signs or for more information, you can contact the committee at owcac2024@gmail.com. So bring your questions about the referendum to the Tailgate Party and then go to the football game to support the O-W Blackhawks.

Referendum Fact

What is an operational referendum and why do we need it?

For the past 16 years the amount of public aid to the Owen-Withee School District (and many other small schools) has fallen drastically behind inflation by roughly $3,300 per student. This has left a deficit of over $500,000 for the school to simply operate this year. If the referendum does not pass in November, the school will need to take the money from their “fund balance” to pay simple operational expenses like staff pay, coaching positions, extra curricular activities, curriculum, and much more. If the fund balance is depleted, we will have to consider closing the doors to the Owen-Withee School! (O-W Community Action Committee)