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Salem School District outlines operational referendum, cites 1993 revenue limit and potential tax impact
Summary
District leaders and a student representative presented an operational referendum ahead of an April 1 vote, saying the measure would renew expiring levy authority the district needs to maintain current programs and staff and that the per-property tax impact is projected to decline over three years.
Salem School District officials presented details of an operational referendum at the Village of Salem Lakes board meeting, explaining why the district is asking voters to renew expiring levy authority and how the measure could affect local taxpayers.
Ted Gergen, president of the Salem School District board, said the referendum is a renewal of money the district already uses to operate schools and is not a new tax increase in the long term. “What we’re asking for is money to be renewed, money that we already are, have but is going to expire. And that money we need to operate our school,” Gergen said.
Dr. King, a district official who addressed trustees and residents, said the district ranks near the bottom among Wisconsin school districts in funding per pupil because of a revenue limit set in 1993 and that current state funding levels make it difficult to maintain programs at present levels. “We’re in one of the bottom percentages of the way school is funded across the state of Wisconsin,” Dr. King said, adding the district has tried cost reductions and is exploring shared services and other efficiencies.
Christopher Hoffman, an eighth-grade student and president of the National Junior Honor Society, described how electives, arts and athletics contribute to student engagement and urged support for the referendum. “If this doesn’t get passed, the school may potentially have to reduce athletic, art, or elective programs,” Hoffman said.
Presenters said the district has published a tax-impact calculator and projection data by property value. They said the district’s projected mill rate tied to the referendum was about $5.81 currently and projected to fall to $5.78, though a handout referenced a different current mill rate of $6.31 on page 25 of the village packet. Presenters acknowledged the numbers can change if state funding or the biennial state budget changes, and said the board has committed to under-levying if future state changes reduce the need.
The presentation covered the district’s focus on core instruction — reading, writing and math — and options to share leadership or services with neighboring districts to reduce administrative costs. The district also described outreach efforts to attract students, including families returning from private schools and recruitment across the Illinois border.
No formal action on the referendum was taken by the Village Board; presenters invited residents to community meetings and asked voters to consider the measure on April 1.
The presentation was scheduled as part of the village meeting’s consent/discussion items and attendees asked clarifying questions about mill rates, program priorities and transparency of district finances. Presenters said financial spreadsheets are available for review and that they intend to be transparent about spending.
