Appleton superintendent details staff cuts, program shifts and facility savings ahead of April 7 referendum
February 17, 2026 | Appleton Area School District, School Districts, Wisconsin
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Superintendent Greg Hartjes laid out steps the Appleton Area School District has taken to control expenses, emphasizing staffing changes and targeted program funding.
“We’re a people business, that’s what we do,” Hartjes said, noting that roughly 80% of the district’s expenses are salaries and benefits. He told viewers the district reduced 62 classroom teacher positions over the past eight years, saving approximately $6 million, and has not filled many non‑teaching positions this year, saving around $700,000.
Hartjes said some additions were deliberate to improve programming and meet student needs: the district added STEM classes, moved sixth grade to middle school and reduced class sizes in kindergarten through second grade — changes he said were funded by the community‑approved 2022 referendum. He described added supports for a rising population of students experiencing homelessness (the district has tripled that population in five years), including a homeless coordinator, two social workers focused on attendance, and more nurses and substance‑use staff.
On salaries, Hartjes compared district increases to inflation: in the 2022–23 school year the district provided a 3.75% raise while inflation was about 4.7%; in 2023–24 the district provided 6.47% after receiving a revenue increase while inflation was roughly 8%; he said the most recent year again did not fully match inflation.
Hartjes also cited facilities and operations savings: consolidating Columbus saved about $500,000; creating an in‑district special education program returned students from private/residential placements and saved about $300,000; relocating the ABS charter to open space at Huntley saved roughly $100,000; and freezes on certain departmental budgets saved an additional ~$300,000.
Hartjes closed by describing the district’s results as “mixed” — savings in some areas but large health plan cost increases elsewhere — and urged stakeholders to follow upcoming information as the district approaches an April 7 referendum.
“We’re a people business, that’s what we do,” Hartjes said, noting that roughly 80% of the district’s expenses are salaries and benefits. He told viewers the district reduced 62 classroom teacher positions over the past eight years, saving approximately $6 million, and has not filled many non‑teaching positions this year, saving around $700,000.
Hartjes said some additions were deliberate to improve programming and meet student needs: the district added STEM classes, moved sixth grade to middle school and reduced class sizes in kindergarten through second grade — changes he said were funded by the community‑approved 2022 referendum. He described added supports for a rising population of students experiencing homelessness (the district has tripled that population in five years), including a homeless coordinator, two social workers focused on attendance, and more nurses and substance‑use staff.
On salaries, Hartjes compared district increases to inflation: in the 2022–23 school year the district provided a 3.75% raise while inflation was about 4.7%; in 2023–24 the district provided 6.47% after receiving a revenue increase while inflation was roughly 8%; he said the most recent year again did not fully match inflation.
Hartjes also cited facilities and operations savings: consolidating Columbus saved about $500,000; creating an in‑district special education program returned students from private/residential placements and saved about $300,000; relocating the ABS charter to open space at Huntley saved roughly $100,000; and freezes on certain departmental budgets saved an additional ~$300,000.
Hartjes closed by describing the district’s results as “mixed” — savings in some areas but large health plan cost increases elsewhere — and urged stakeholders to follow upcoming information as the district approaches an April 7 referendum.
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