School District has operational referendum on ballot

By Tracy Ouellette

SLN Staff

The East Troy Community School District has an operational referendum on the April 7 ballot. If approved by a majority of voters, the $1.6 million five-year, nonrecurring referendum would address the district’s most urgent needs and provide greater financial stability for the district over the next five years.

The referendum would have an estimated tax impact of $98 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

District Administrator Chris Hibner sent a letter home to parents in the district this week, acknowledging the difficult and uncertain future everyone is faced with because of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Hibner started the letter thanking families for their flexibility and support during the public health crisis. He added that with the schools closed, the increased demands on families to educate the children at home for the foreseeable future was something they were keenly aware of.

“Please know that we understand how school changes are impacting families,” Hibner wrote. “While these measures are necessary to protect public health, they place increased demands on all families. So once again, thank you.”

In the letter, Hibner also addressed the district’s operational referendum.

“I also wanted to let you know that, at this time, it appears the election date of Tuesday, April 7, will continue as planned. In addition to the presidential primary and local candidates, the East Troy Community School District will have a referendum question on the ballot.

“I know this is an uncertain time and that many things are in flux. Still, the situation surrounding the district’s financial needs do remain. The referendum, if approved, would allow the district to address financial challenges tied to the state’s school funding formula, while also allowing the district to move forward with key maintenance projects,” he wrote.

The district’s needs are tied to a state-imposed revenue limit, which dates back to 1993 and restricts the amount of money available to ETCSD. East Troy has one of the lowest per-pupil revenue limits in southeastern Wisconsin. The district’s projections indicate future deficits averaging $470,000 per year for the next five years.

To assess the district’s needs, the board engaged in a community-based process to develop and prioritize solutions based on their cost and potential impact to ensure the best return on taxpayers’ investments in their local schools. This included a fall 2018 survey, which the board has used in preparing for a referendum.

In summer 2019, an ad-hoc committee – comprising of municipal officials, business leaders, parents and community members – met to review the survey results and examine school finance and its impact on the district’s budget.

The School Board last fall voted to have an operational referendum question on the spring ballot.

“Regardless of the outcome of the previously scheduled referendum on April 7, the East Troy School District will continue to operate with whatever is the new normal, being defined in the upcoming days, weeks, and months. With a strong School Board we will do whatever we can for the community, staff and students that we serve within the financial parameters that we have,” School District Business Manager Kathy Zwirgzdas said.

As of press time, the spring election was still on with residents encouraged to vote by absentee ballot.

The deadline to register to vote online was March 30, but registered voters could request an absentee ballot online at myvote.wi.gov until April 2.

Absentee ballots may be cast in-person at municipal clerk’s offices until Friday, April 3.

Most area municipalities are limiting who may request an absentee ballot in person. Check with the clerk’s offices before heading over.

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