Elkhorn Area School District board asks voters to approve four‑year operational referendum as residents raise concerns about 'center schools' and taxes

Elkhorn Area School District board members and community members gathered at a virtual forum to explain and take questions about an operational referendum the board has placed before voters, which organizers described at the meeting as a four‑year request commonly referenced as $4,000,000.

Board member Kyle Gordon, a retired teacher who introduced the forum, emphasized the proposal is for operations, not construction: "This is simply the operation of the school district. We are not ... purchasing anything," he said, adding that the board unanimously approved taking the measure to referendum. Officials and volunteers told attendees the district had reduced debt service and pursued cost savings but still faces an estimated shortfall.

Speakers framed the request as a response to long‑term state funding changes. Kyle Gordon said changes since the 1990s and a 2009 reduction in inflationary supplements for districts have forced many Wisconsin districts to seek voter approval for additional operating revenue. He cited what he described as a roughly $4 billion state surplus and urged residents to press legislators for sustained school funding.

Board members described Elkhorn as historically frugal and noted the district earns revenue from open enrollment and special programs. A board member said the district receives roughly $9 million annually tied to open enrollment and career/alternative programs, and Kyle Gordon stated open‑enrolled students brought approximately $8,600 per student last year (about $13,000 for special‑education students). Officials said the district is asking for a limited, non‑recurring request of roughly four years and would not automatically spend any money the district did not ultimately need if outside funding arrived.

Officials and staff said failing the referendum could force difficult operational changes. The board discussed a contingency plan that could include shifting elementary grades into "center schools" (grouping K–1, grades 2–3 and grades 4–5) and moving to a junior‑high style schedule in higher grades; forum speakers cited estimated savings on the order of $1.6 million from elementary consolidation and about $1.3 million from a junior‑high staffing model. Speakers emphasized they did not want those outcomes.

Teachers and parents described the potential human effects. An elementary teacher from Tibbetts said she would lose the long‑term relationships she has with students if buildings are reorganized: "I get these kids, and I love them like my own ... to just have them for kindergarten and first grade, to have them for one more year, and then they're gone." She warned larger class sizes and staff losses would reduce individualized attention.

Alumni testimony framed the district as an asset. "There's nothing like an Elkhorn education," said Kylie, a 2021 graduate, who said she would vote yes to preserve the district's programs and relationships.

Residents asked practical questions about the tax impact and timing. Several attendees noted overlapping referendums already on tax bills through 2030–2036 and said an annual increase (discussed in the forum as roughly $200 for some households) would strain fixed‑income residents. Forum participants discussed options short of the referendum, such as fee adjustments, prorated family caps on fees and other minor revenue changes, but board members said major additional cuts were no longer available without substantive program reductions or consolidation.

Organizers encouraged turnout and legislative advocacy. Board members urged residents to vote (early voting was discussed at the meeting and attendees were directed to myvote.wisconsin.gov for official polling and registration information) and to contact state legislators about school funding. The board also outlined plans to increase direct engagement with staff and parents through school visits and confidential feedback channels.

The forum closed with thanks to attendees and a reminder of upcoming board meetings and voting logistics. The forum was streamed on YouTube and intended to give voters more context ahead of the local election window discussed at the meeting.