Williams Bay board approves resolution to place four-year nonrecurring referendum on November ballot

The Williams Bay School District board moved and approved a resolution to place a four-year, nonrecurring referendum question on the November ballot to avoid a projected budget shortfall when the district’s current three‑year referendum expires.

Superintendent Dr. White told the board he and a colleague recommended a four‑year measure and read the draft proposal in the packet. “We are recommending to the board, Missus Frederick and I, that the board approve a 4 year referendum,” he said. The proposal in the packet sets the proposed amounts at $2,000,000 in year one, $2,250,000 in year two, $2,500,000 in year three and $2,750,000 in year four, described as nonrecurring operational support.

Board members asked whether the packet included the exact ballot language and discussed outreach to help voters understand tax impacts. Dr. White said the packet contains the question as it would appear on the ballot and the district has begun outreach to community organizations, the village board and civic groups; the board intends to hold at least one information session at the school.

The board made the motions required by statute to place the question on the ballot and approved both motions by voice vote. Committee member (who moved the resolution) read the resolution language referencing state statute. As recorded in the meeting, the resolution language referenced “section 121.91 Wisconsin statutes” as the statutory authority for exceeding the revenue limit. The chair declared the motions carried; the board discussed noting the vote as unanimous.

Next steps include scheduled outreach events and preparing the official ballot language and materials for the public.