VOTERS APPROVE REFERENDUM QUESTION 2!
On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, voters in the Lake Country School District considered a two-question special election comprising two distinct and vital questions, addressing both immediate and long-term needs within our school district.
Following the vote, the unofficial election results are:
Question 1 (Operational Revenue): 594 YES (46.1%) and 695 NO (53.9%)
Question 2 (GO Bond): 691 YES (54%) and 589 NO (46%)
District Administrator Chad Schraufnagel expressed his gratitude to the community for their support:
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the entire community for taking the time to learn more about the needs of the district. This community investment will provide a safe and healthy building, while also assisting in reducing operating costs. These savings can then be redirected into our budget to meet facility needs well into the future.”
Schraufnagel continued, “While failing our operational referendum will be extremely challenging, our administrative team will work closely with the school board in the coming weeks to develop a fiscally responsible budget for next year.”
In the coming weeks, the District will work with our project partner SitelogIQ to begin finalizing the details of the facility improvements.
Our commitment to the community is to proceed with a sense of urgency but with the utmost care and diligence to ensure this investment delivers lasting benefits for our students, staff, and community members.
The Lake Country School Board calls for a special election on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, presenting voters with two (2) questions:
To authorize an operational bond that will generate $7.2 million of revenue over a seven-year period for annual budgets to be sustained in the future.
To authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $9.5 million for facility and learning environment improvements.
BALLOT QUESTIONS
The referendum is comprised of (2) distinct and vital questions, addressing both immediate and long-term needs within our school district.
Ballot Question #1
Operational Revenue Limit
"BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Lake Country School District, Waukesha County, Wisconsin, that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $450,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, $650,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, $850,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, $1,050,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, $1,200,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, $1,400,000 for the 2029-2030 school year, and $1,600,000 for the 2030-2031 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses, including but not limited to maintaining curriculum programs and services."
This non-recurring referendum is an operational referendum. An operational referendum provides funding for annual operating expenses.
Ballot Question #2:
Capital General Obligation Bond
"BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Lake Country School District, Waukesha County, Wisconsin, that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67, Wisconsin Statutes, General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security, building systems, parking lot, and technology infrastructure improvements."
We recognize the importance of maintaining high-quality educational facilities and ensuring our students receive the high quality education our community expects.
These referendum questions are designed to secure the necessary resources to “RESET” the District's budget and preserve our school's status as a cornerstone of our community and a leader in education within the state of Wisconsin.
PROJECT SCOPE
Question #1
Operating Revenue
In addition to building improvement needs, the District is also in need of additional operating revenue to continue the outstanding programming that the students at Lake Country School receive.
Given that the District has a diminishing fund balance, the need for additional revenue over a seven (7) year period is being requested.
Question #2
Facility and Learning Environment Improvements
Add new card access and rekey all exterior doors
Update camera system and secure entry technology
Update original exterior doors
Replace roofing system and caulking where necessary
Update parking lots
Update and improve stormwater runoff
Upgrade the HVAC system
Install an air cooled chiller
Install VAV box replacements
Replace existing IT room A/C unit
Update the intercom/paging system
Update the bell/clock system
Update the telephone system
Upgrade IT infrastructure: access, server capacity, and cabling
OPEN HOUSE NIGHTS
Join us for an informational open house!
Tour the school and ask questions regarding the April 2, 2024 Referendum.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
6-8 p.m. // School Cafetorium
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
6-8 p.m. // School Cafetorium
Thursday, March 21, 2024
6-8 p.m. // School Cafetorium
STABILITY AND SUCCESS
THREE-PRONGED APPROACH
Through these referendum questions, we believe we have a plan that builds a strong and sustainable budget while addressing identified facility issues.
District Actions
We're making strategic choices in the district.
The District understands that in order to meet our budgetary needs well into the future, reductions and adjustments to our budget will be necessary. Items such as staffing levels, benefits, and adjusting class size levels, and others potential opportunities are currently being reviewed.
Reduce Operating Costs through Capital Referendum
We're addressing school infrastructure to save money.
Implementing capital improvements such as HVAC replacement, roofing, and entry door efficiencies will help reduce operating costs and allow those savings to be directed back into our budget for student needs well into the future.
Community Investment
The community plays a pivotal role in our comprehensive strategy.
While the District implements cost cutting measures and savings through operational efficiencies, the need for additional operational dollars remains. Based upon our projections, the need for an operational referendum will help the district meet our current and future budgetary needs and allow us to continue our exceptional education and high quality staff.
PHOTO GALLERY
Explore the photo gallery below by hovering over the photo and clicking the arrows on the left or right side.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
DECEMBER 2019 - APRIL 2024 (click to view timeline)
December 2019: SitelogIQ engaged by Lake Country School District to perform a comprehensive analysis of their existing building
January 2020 - June 2022: Comprehensive Facilities Assessment conducted by SitelogIQ - assess physical, educational, functional needs. Ongoing communication with former leadership and incoming Superintendent
September - December 2022: District re-engages with SitelogIQ to refresh assessment data and gather any additional information related to facilities and operational needs
December 2022 - April 2023: Ideation and planning sessions with leadership advance resulting in preliminary ideas and opportunities for potential projects
June 19, 2023: Facility Assessment Review with Administration and School Board to review asset conditions and staff survey results
August 7, 2023: Community Engagement discussion and planning workshop with the School Board
September - October 2023: Continued Community Engagement discussions with District and potential project related information
October 16, 2023: Solutions and Funding meeting held with School Board discussing potential costings for projects
December 4, 2023: First community focus session in conjunction with PMA, the district financial advisor
December 12, 2023: Second community focus session in conjunction with PMA, the district financial advisor
December 5 - December 22, 2023: Community-wide survey is launched
January 2, 2024: Community survey results shared with school board
January 2, 2024: Board Workshop #1
March 2024: District Open Houses
April 2, 2024: Election Day
DID YOU KNOW?
Award-Winning Education
Lake Country School District has a longstanding history of exceptional education, student achievement, and high quality staff recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, NICHE, and the U.S. News and World Report. If the referendum is approved, the additional funds would be used to make sure that Lake Country continues to be one of the best schools in Wisconsin and America.
Community Input
To ensure future decisions make sense for students, are fiscally responsible, and have community support, the Lake Country School Board has been exploring ways to address operational budget and critical building infrastructure needs.
The Lake Country School Board, along with the District’s administration, reviewed findings from a comprehensive facility assessment and prioritized the identified needs from a series of board workshops, staff survey, community-wide survey, and community meetings.
The decision to run a referendum was driven by input directly received from District leadership, staff, and community members spanning over a 4-year period.
Low State Aid Funding
Lake Country School District, in the State of Wisconsin funding formula, is considered to have a large property valuation. Unfortunately, this affects the school district’s ability to receive state funding in an inverse way.
Since the amount of state aid is so low, costs for operating the District are largely placed upon local taxpayers.
Lake Country Schools has received the following in State Aid:
2017-2018 ➜ $29,004
2018-2019 ➜ $32,825
2019-2020 ➜ $37,310
2020-2021 ➜ $28,921
2021-2022 ➜ $27,392
2022-2023 ➜ $23,283
Lowest Mill Rate
Lake Country School District receives the lowest Mill Rate among comparable surrounding school districts.