By Kellen Olshefski
Correspondent
Elkhorn voters will notice an operational referendum for the Elkhorn Area School District on their ballots as they head to the polls this November.
Approved by the Elkhorn Area School District Board of Education on July 22, the referendum will be worded as such:
Shall the Elkhorn Area School District, Walworth County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,800,000 for the 2024-2025 school year; by an additional $1,800,000 (for a total of $3,600,000) for the 2025-2026 school year; by an additional $1,700,000 (for a total of $5,300,000) for the 2026-2027 school year; and by an additional $1,700,000 (for a total of $7,000,000) for the 2027-2028 school year and thereafter, for recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to maintaining current instructional programs and class sizes, staffing, ongoing safety, and facility maintenance?
According to the school district, the estimated tax impact of the referendum would be an increase of $25 per $100,000 of property value each year for the four-year phase-in of the referendum. For example, with a $300,000 home that would equate to $75 in 2024-25, $150 in 2025-26, $225 in 2026-27 and $300 in 2027-28. In year five, the tax impact stops increasing and stays consistent into the future.
For those looking to learn more about the referendum on the November ballot, the school district’s website has a wealth of information from facts and frequently asked questions to YouTube videos and more at: www.elkhorn.k12.wi.us/page/operational-referendum-2024.
The district will also be hosting a Community Information Meeting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21 in the auditorium at Elkhorn Area High School, offering citizens an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about the referendum.
For the full story, please see the print edition of the Elkhorn Independent.
