LAKE GENEVA SCHOOLS
OPERATIONAL REFERENDUMS
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WISCONSIN SCHOOL FINANCE 101 - Watch now!
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This new short video, created by WSPRA & WASBO, provides a great explanation of why so many Wisconsin school districts are finding that an operational referendum is necessary.
WSPRA | Wisconsin School Public Relations Association
WASBO | Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials
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APRIL 2 OPERATIONAL REFERENDUMS
The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District take great pride in being an integral part of our community as we fulfill our mission to engage, educate, and empower the students, staff, and community of Lake Geneva Schools.
At the same time, our Districts face financial challenges that require the attention of our entire community. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, residents will vote on an operational referendum question for the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District and an operational referendum question for the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District. These questions will address both districts’ financial challenges and ensure our educational system is appropriately funded, supporting the opportunities we offer our students and the educators who provide them.
If approved, each question would provide its district with a recurring revenue limit increase of $3,000,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year for recurring purposes.
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Shall the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School District, Walworth County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $3,000,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of ongoing operational and maintenance expenses, infrastructure, technology and safety upgrades and for educational programming?
[ ] YES [ ] NO
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Shall the Lake Geneva Joint School District No. 1, City of Lake Geneva, Towns of Bloomfield, Geneva, LaFayette, Linn, Lyons and Spring Prairie, Walworth County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $3,000,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of ongoing operational and maintenance expenses, infrastructure, technology and safety upgrades and for educational programming?
[ ] YES [ ] NO
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WHAT WILL OPERATIONAL REFERENDUMS ALLOW THE
DISTRICTS TO DO?
Approved referendums would enable the district to address the ongoing operational and maintenance expenses, infrastructure, technology and safety upgrades, and educational programming. Our top priorities for these funds would be:
- Support for teaching and learning to increase student growth and achievement and offer competitive academic courses, programs, and services for all students.
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Attract and retain the best educators by providing competitive salaries and benefits.
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Address annual, ongoing maintenance on our aging buildings.
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Cover rising inflationary costs on goods and services, including transportation, utilities, curriculum, supplies, and equipment.
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WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
Both districts have continued their long-standing tradition of excellence while being fiscally responsible.
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Since 2019, the districts have made enrollment-driven reductions of certified staff through attrition and realignment based on current educational best practices. Over the last five school years, the districts have reduced over 30 certified staff positions.
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Over the last two school years, both districts used their one-time ESSER Grant Funds to cover ongoing costs, which will be exhausted by June 2024.
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This year (2023-2024), the districts reduced their overall building budgets by 5% and increased employee contributions to health insurance.
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The Boards of Education of Badger and Joint #1 have a Shared Service Agreement. The benefits to our school community include more collaborative coordination of the educational and operational programs K-12. This agreement provides a more efficient use of taxpayer dollars by reducing costs for both Districts.
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WHY REFERENDUMS?
The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District are not alone in the state of Wisconsin when it comes to facing financial challenges. According to Baird Financial, as of November 2023, over 85% of districts statewide have been forced to seek operational referendum support from their communities. This is due to several factors:
Outdated Funding System: Wisconsin schools operate under a state-imposed revenue limit, restricting the financial support they can receive from state general aid and local property taxes. The funding formula used to calculate the limit was created more than 30 years ago and is outdated. As a result, our districts and many districts statewide do not receive adequate funding for student programs and services.
Any change in the state funding formula is highly unlikely in the near future, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Inadequate State Funding: Our districts face a funding shortfall that significantly hinders our ability to fully support programs and services. The funding approved by the state legislature has not kept pace with increasing costs and inflation over the past few years. In 2022 and 2023, the state's biennium budget resulted in NO increase in per-pupil funding. Additionally, one-time ESSER Grant Funds provided will be exhausted by June of 2024.
Growing Student Needs: The needs of our students have also increased significantly, particularly in the areas of special education, mental health, economically disadvantaged students, and multi-language learners. These represent essential services mandated by state and federal regulations for which the district receives inadequate funding.
Rising Operational Costs: Expenses related to wages and benefits, transportation, and heating and cooling school facilities are rising, along with various other costs beyond the district's control.
These factors have meant that Wisconsin school districts increasingly must turn to their local communities to fund their schools. This is the case in the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District, like many others statewide.
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FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Join George Chironis, Director of Business Services for Lake Geneva Schools, in the below videos to learn more about school finance and how it impacts the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District.
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Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District |
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Lake Geneva Joint #1
School District
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TAX RATE HISTORY
Over the last seven years, the tax rate in the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District has dropped $3.05 per $1,000, and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District has dropped $1.57 per $1,000 of property value.
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WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED TAX IMPACT?
Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District
An approved Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District referendum in April would have an estimated property tax impact of $0.18 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District
An approved Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District referendum in April would have an estimated property tax impact of $0.56 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
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LISTEN TO LEARN MORE
On Sunday, March 17, Superintendent Dr. Peter Wilson and Director of Business Services Mr. George Chironis joined 96.1FM - LifeMatters with Tom & Nancy to talk about the April 2 Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District and Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School District Referendum Questions.
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WHEN TO VOTE
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Polls open 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
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