Riverview superintendent outlines $7 million April referendum for building repairs and security upgrades

Kim Taylor, superintendent of the Riverview (Silver Lake–Salem) School District, told the Village Board of Salem Lakes that the district will ask Silver Lake–area voters on the April 1 ballot to approve $7,000,000 for critical facility repairs and security upgrades.

Taylor said the referendum request, approved by the district board in December, is intended to pay for roof and boiler replacement, asphalt repairs, updated learning spaces and security improvements including a secure vestibule entrance, fencing near the railroad and a crisis alert system worn by staff.

The referendum matters because the district’s general fund cannot cover the work, Taylor said, and the projects include elements — such as a secure vestibule and exterior fencing — intended to improve building safety. She described the secure vestibule as the “biggest component” of the security work and said the district currently has unrestricted exterior access and no exterior security camera.

Taylor outlined informational sessions for the public: a casual forum February 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Scully’s and a formal presentation that evening at 6 p.m. at Riverview with the district’s facilities planner. She said additional sessions are scheduled in March.

Board members asked whether the referendum would apply only to a portion of the village. Taylor confirmed that only residents who live in the Silver Lake portion of the school district will vote on the district question, not the entire Village of Salem Lakes.

Taylor also said the district chose not to pursue an operational (ongoing levy) referendum now despite recent budget deficits because the biannual state budget and potential changes to special education funding and enrollment trends leave long-term operating needs uncertain. She said the board reduced its fund-balance policy from 30% to 25% to preserve flexibility.

Taylor provided an enrollment snapshot: the district has recently seen fluctuating and generally declining enrollment, with an outgoing class of 53 eighth-graders and a projection of 44 incoming students for the next cycle; she also said open enrollment has produced a roughly $300,000 net positive for the district. Taylor said she would provide capacity/enrollment-at-capacity figures to trustees on request.

The district is presenting its case to Silver Lake voters; the board did not take action on the referendum during the village meeting.

For reference, the district used the name Riverview in its presentation; the superintendent identified the district as the Silver Lake–Salem/Riverview school district.