The struggling Wisconsin school district is nothing new; but Superintendent Dr. Ron Heilmann of Eau Claire Schools says the way the situation in Eau Claire makes him feel could be summed up with one word, stressed.

Dr. Heilmann projects between a $2.7 and $2.8 million deficit in the district’s budget. Solving that deficit will include a combination of things, anywhere from laying off a few full time teachers, to closing swimming pools to implementing furlough days.

As a veteran sixth grade teacher at DeLong Middle School Julie Toske knows how to ride the waves budget cuts can create. But knowing how to get through, doesn't make it any less difficult.

“I notice it has affected us, when you start cutting budgets you think, O, we'll just get through it, we'll just work harder, everyone will do just a little bit more, we can do it,” Toske says.

But that good natured attitude can take it's toll, even on the most hard working of teachers, “I'm here until 5:30 every night, work coming home on the weekend, and I could see hitting a wall,” she says.

“We're cutting where it's definitely compromising our student programs and services at this point,” Superintendent Dr. Ron Heilmann says.

Heilmann says around $18.5 million has been cut from the Eau Claire School District’s budget in the last four years alone, ”Kinda takes your breath away doesn't it,” he says.

“One of my favorite lines is to send someone to the moon, is a simpler equation than figuring out how to fund public schools in the state of Wisconsin, it's very complex,” Heilmann says.

Which is one reason why Heilmann says the citizens of Eau Claire could see a referendum on the ballot sometime in the next year.

He says the school board will likely talk about cuts at every future meeting as well as talking about a referendum.

Heilmann says its important for the district to continue meeting with members of the public to get it's message out and answer questions.