THANK YOU VOTERS!
For Protecting Our Future Together
Thank you to the voters of the Williams Bay School district for endorsing the referendum presented on the April 2, 2024, ballot. We deeply appreciate everyone who invested their time in understanding the rationale behind the referendum, comprehending the potential outcomes of both success and failure. I extend my gratitude to the community members for their insightful inquiries and their commitment to discerning what serves our community best. We are truly touched and inspired by the overwhelming support from our voters, who are dedicated to safeguarding the future of our community, particularly our children. Your recognition of the pivotal role a stellar school district plays in cultivating a top-tier community is immensely valued.
The success of the referendum stands as a testament to the concerted efforts of numerous individuals. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Friends of Williams Bay Schools for their unwavering support in advocating for the referendum and mobilizing the community to participate in the voting process. Special recognition is owed to Jennifer Frederick, School Business Manager, for her invaluable role in disseminating factual information to various groups and organizations within the communities served by the Williams Bay School District. To all who played a part in this endeavor, your dedication is deeply appreciated.
Ultimately, I am convinced that the success of the referendum reflects the community’s profound appreciation for the dedication of our teachers, support staff, and administrators in nurturing the educational growth of our children, as well as the significant contributions our school district makes to the broader community.
Thank you to our voters!
Sincerely,
Dr. William White
Superintendent
Williams Bay School District
Protecting Our Future Together
Addressing the Fiscal Cliff
Like many Wisconsin school districts, the Williams Bay School District is facing a looming fiscal cliff in the 2024-25 school year. With this in mind, district leaders and the Board of Education is asking the community to support a solution to this financial shortfall in the form of a non-recurring 3 year referendum to exceed the State-imposed revenue limits.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This referendum ask will not increase the District portion of your tax bill, nor is it for new, additional spending. The state's funding formula DOES NOT ALLOW the District to levy (collect from taxpayers) the same amount as last year. As a result, the District will see over $1M less in revenue annually without community intervention. Regardless of inflation and the increased costs of operation, the District is unable to raise fees to offset the $1M+ shortfall. Again, the $1.25M/$1.5M/$1.75M 3 year referendum ask is not ADDITIONAL revenue to the District, it's allowing the District to exceed the state revenue limit to keep funding relatively flat over the next 3 years. It plugs an otherwise drop in revenue to the District. The District is asking the community, through the April referendum, to simply allow the District to continue having a stable levy, thereby providing consistent funding to the District to allow us to continue our mission of providing excellent education to the greater Williams Bay community. The mill rate is projected to continue to drop, even with a passed referendum, due to the modest amount asked and the increasing property value of the community.
We invite you to learn more about our district’s financial needs and the neutral tax impact of the referendum question on the April 2, 2024 ballot by reading this page and the Frequently Asked Questions.
THE REFERENDUM QUESTION
The following question will be on the April 2, 2024 ballot. PLEASE NOTE this is the first day back to school after Spring Break. The District is encouraging residents leaving town over break to vote absentee to ensure their voices are heard.
Question: Shall the School District of Williams Bay, Walworth County, Wisconsin be authorized to
exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,250,000 for the 2024-
2025 school year, by $1,500,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, and by $1,750,000 for the 2026-2027
school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of ongoing operational expenses, including to
maintain small class sizes?