On November 5, amid the attention given to the presidential election, voters in 13 suburban Milwaukee school districts faced decisions on various school referendums. A majority of proposed measures were approved across different districts, highlighting the diverse needs and fiscal challenges of suburban schools in the Milwaukee area. The referendums addressed a broad range of issues, including operational funding, facilities improvements, and new construction projects.
Arrowhead Union High School District: Operational Needs and Facilities
Voters in the Arrowhead Union High School District approved a $7.6 million operational referendum to cover expenses over four years. This decision will result in a modest increase in school taxes by 2 cents per $1,000 of property value. The approval was driven by the need to address inflation and funding shortfalls that have impacted the district’s operational budget.
However, a significant $261.2 million capital referendum to construct a new high school was rejected. The proposal aimed to address safety concerns and inefficiencies due to the current multiple-campus setup. Despite the rejection, the district will continue to operate within its existing facilities, maintaining the status quo.
Cudahy School District: Addressing Declining Enrollment and Infrastructure
In the Cudahy School District, voters approved both an operational referendum for $10.4 million and a capital referendum for $12.4 million. The operational funding will help counteract declining enrollment and lower state aid, while the capital funds will be used for critical infrastructure and safety updates across schools.
The approval of these measures will increase school taxes by $2.01 per $1,000 of property value. The district emphasized the importance of these funds to maintain educational quality and ensure safe learning environments for students.
Franklin School District: Comprehensive Facility Upgrades
Franklin School District voters approved a $145 million capital referendum for extensive facilities upgrades. This decision will result in an estimated tax increase of 82 cents per $1,000 of property value. The funds will be used to update facilities to comply with safety and accessibility standards and expand educational spaces, particularly for career and technical education.
The district highlighted the need for these upgrades to provide a modern and safe learning environment for students, ensuring that facilities meet current educational demands and standards.
Glendale-River Hills School District: Operational Funding for Stability
The Glendale-River Hills School District secured approval for a $9 million operational referendum over two years. This measure will initially increase school tax rates by $1.16 per $1,000 of property value, with an expected decrease in subsequent years.
The district cited inflation and stagnant state funding as key reasons for needing additional operational funds. The approved referendum will support staff salaries and student programming, ensuring the district can continue to provide quality education.
Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District: Recurring Operational Support
Voters in the Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District approved a recurring operational referendum of $1.75 million annually with no end date. This decision will result in a slight increase in school tax rates starting in the 2025-26 school year.
The district emphasized the importance of this funding to address anticipated budget shortfalls and manage future deficits. The recurring nature of the referendum ensures long-term financial stability, allowing the district to maintain critical educational programs and facilities.
Mequon-Thiensville School District: Addressing Budget Deficits
The Mequon-Thiensville School District received voter approval for a $26.4 million operational referendum over four years. This measure will gradually increase tax rates, starting from 73 cents per $1,000 of property value.
The district faced a projected budget deficit and challenges due to state-imposed revenue limits. The approved referendum will help the district offer competitive compensation to retain high-quality educators and manage operational costs effectively.
Mukwonago School District: New Middle School Construction
In the Mukwonago School District, voters approved an $89.1 million capital referendum to construct a new middle school. This decision will result in an additional 24 cents per $1,000 of property value.
The new middle school will replace an outdated building from 1954, addressing issues with the current building’s layout, small classrooms, and narrow hallways. The district highlighted the need for a modern facility to provide a better learning environment for students.
Oak Creek-Franklin: New Pools for Community and Competition
Voters in the Oak Creek-Franklin School District approved a $34.3 million capital referendum for new pools. The tax rate impact is neutral due to the reallocation of funds.
The existing pool required significant repairs and did not meet WIAA standards. The new competition and community pools will address current and future demands, providing adequate facilities for both school and community use.
St. Francis School District: Operational Support Amid Rising Costs
The St. Francis School District secured approval for a $10.2 million operational referendum over multiple years. This measure is projected to decrease school tax rates due to early debt repayment and increased state aid.
The district faced rising costs, the end of federal pandemic relief funding, and an expiring previous referendum. Ensuring continued operational support for educational services was a key concern, and the funds will help the district navigate these financial pressures effectively.
Wauwatosa: Major Investments in Facilities and Operations
Wauwatosa voters approved both a $60 million capital referendum for facilities improvements and a $64.4 million operational referendum for expenses over four years. The combined measures will result in a total tax rate increase of $2.10 per $1,000 of property value.
Addressing operational needs hindered by insufficient state funding, these referendums are aimed at maintaining school infrastructure and updating facilities to comply with ADA standards. The comprehensive plan highlights a commitment to providing a robust and accessible learning environment for all students.
West Allis-West Milwaukee: Balancing Operations and Facilities
Voters in the West Allis-West Milwaukee district approved a recurring operational referendum of $5.8 million annually with no end date, along with a $70 million capital referendum for facility improvements. The tax rate will increase by $1.08 per $1,000 of property value.
The operational referendum will support staff raises and help address aging buildings. Capital funds will focus on safety, security, and accessibility upgrades, ensuring that the district’s facilities meet modern standards and provide a secure environment for students.
West Bend: Addressing Overdue Maintenance and Consolidation
In West Bend, voters approved a $106.25 million capital referendum. This decision will result in a tax rate increase of $1.02 per $1,000 of property value. The referendum aims to address over $200 million in capital maintenance needs.
Plans involve consolidating resources and closing underused buildings, ensuring efficient use of funds and addressing critical maintenance issues. The district emphasized the importance of these investments for long-term sustainability and quality education.
Whitnall: Strategic Renovations and Facility Improvements
Whitnall School District voters approved a $79.1 million capital referendum. This measure will result in a minimal tax rate increase of 3 cents per $1,000 of property value.
The funds will be used for renovations and facility improvements at multiple schools. Favorable timing due to early debt repayment and historically low tax rates contributed to the proposal’s approval. The district highlighted the need for these updates to provide modern and efficient learning environments.
Common Themes and Key Points
State Funding Challenges: A consistent theme across many districts was the insufficiency of state funding to keep pace with inflation and increasing operational costs. This discrepancy necessitated operational referendums to secure additional funds to maintain quality education services.
Aging Infrastructure: Many districts emphasized the need for facilities improvements due to aging buildings. Referendums aimed at addressing critical maintenance, safety, and ADA compliance were common, with significant capital outlays required to modernize and repair outdated structures.
New Construction Projects: Several districts proposed substantial capital referendums to build new schools or major new facilities such as pools. These projects were often driven by the need to replace old, inefficient buildings or to meet modern educational and athletic standards.
Operational Sustainability: Districts frequently cited projected budget shortfalls and the need to attract and retain high-quality educators. Operational referendums often included plans to offer competitive salaries and manage healthcare costs.
Safety and Efficiency: Capital improvements frequently addressed security, operational efficiency, and student safety. Modernizing facilities to ensure safe, accessible, and efficient environments was a recurrent justification for proposed referendums.
Trends and Consolidated Findings
Approval Rates: A majority of the referendums were approved, indicating strong community support for investing in education despite the additional tax burdens. This reflects a consensus viewpoint that sustaining and improving school environments is a priority for the residents.
Financial Impact: The proposed tax impacts varied widely, from neutral or minor increases to more substantial hikes depending on the scale of the projects. An overarching trend was the effort to mitigate large tax increases while still addressing essential needs.
Historical Context: Several districts had recent referendums, some successful and others not. The pattern suggests ongoing financial adjustments and planning to address evolving educational and infrastructural needs.
Community Engagement: Many districts conducted long-term planning, community surveys, and assessments to justify the referendums. The engagement with community stakeholders helped shape proposals that resonated with voters.
Conclusion
On November 5, while much of the nation’s focus was on the presidential election, voters in 13 suburban Milwaukee school districts faced important decisions on several school referendums. Despite the overshadowing national events, these local matters drew considerable attention from the community as they addressed the pressing and varied needs of their schools.
A significant number of the proposed measures were approved, showcasing the community’s recognition of the fiscal and operational challenges faced by these suburban school districts. The approved referendums covered a broad spectrum of issues crucial for the districts’ future, including much-needed operational funding to keep the schools running smoothly, improvements to aging and outdated facilities, and funding for new construction projects to accommodate growing student populations.
The passage of these referendums highlights the proactive approach of the residents in supporting their local education systems. It reflects a commitment to providing quality education and ensuring safe, modern, and well-maintained learning environments for students. Amidst the broader election context, the approval of these measures stands as a testament to the community’s dedication to addressing the specific and immediate needs of their schools and to fostering a brighter future for their children.
