Middleton trustees on Monday unanimously approved a two-year, $4 million supplemental levy for the May 19 ballot.

The board also celebrated a new law that will grant Middleton state funds for a new elementary school without running a bond measure, a difficult way to secure money for the district.

The supplemental levy’s sticker price of $3.96 million will help pay for security staff, teachers, classified staff, curriculum and a range of other expenses.

Trustees and district officials presented the levy as a $2 million measure – its one-year value, half of what taxpayers will shoulder over the full two years.

If the measure fails, the board is considering a litany of cuts.

Given the district’s election history, Middleton trustees are uncertain the levy will reach the 50% threshold needed to pass. 

Superintendent Marc Gee also considered running a bond measure in May but feared it would decrease the chance of passing the levy.

Gov. Brad Little helped sway that decision by signing House Bill 608 into law earlier Monday. The new law means Middleton won’t have to fail another bond measure to tap into a state fund for school facilities, which the state approved for Middleton in October 2025.

Trustees still have a laundry list of concerns, including voter turnout in May.

“The onus is on us to do our very best to get people to vote,” said Trustee Jake Dempsey.

Trustees worry older, retired and empty-nester voters who don’t feel compelled to support schools will outnumber parents who want to support the district.