Frequently Asked Questions

The April 2025 Joint #1 Operational Referendum provided essential short-term stability for Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District, and we are grateful our community supported our students and staff.

The Ballot Question was:
"Shall the Lake Geneva Joint School District No. 1, City of Lake Geneva, Towns of Bloomfield, Geneva, LaFayette, Linn, Lyons and Spring Prairie, Walworth County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $4,000,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and ending with the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses for school safety and security improvements, to pay teacher and staff compensation, to sustain educational programming for students, to maintain class sizes and ongoing operational expenses?"

Because the referendum passed, the district was able to:

• Maintain programming for students
• Preserve reasonable class sizes
• Avoid an abrupt 2025-2026 school closure 
• Prevent 16-20 immediate, full-time staff reductions
• Avoid increased community facility fees
• Complete critical infrastructure projects to improve safety, communication, and daily operations across our schools. 
  • This including new exterior doors with updated electronic locking mechanisms and fob access, significantly enhancing building security; a UHF Radio Communications System Overhaul; replacement of our outdated telephone system; Security Camera & Monitoring System Upgrades; replacement of end-of-life playground equipment; and additional maintenance such as replacing worn carpet, asphalt work, installing outdoor fencing and safety gates, roofing repairs, painting, and more.

This referendum funding helped stabilize operations through the 2028-2029 school year. However, it is important to understand what an operational referendum does and does not do.

Operational funds support people and programs. They help cover annual expenses like salaries, utilities, and classroom needs. They do not permanently resolve long-term structural challenges, such as:

• Changing enrollment patterns
• Underutilized building space
• Imbalances in grade distribution across schools
• The need to operate facilities as efficiently as possible over time

That is why the district is working to implement the 2027-2028 Facilities & Grade Configuration Plan.

This plan is a proactive, long-term strategy designed to ensure district facilities align with projected enrollment and to protect academic programming well into the future. 

Through an 18-month transition process, the district will:

• Engage key district stakeholders
• Balance enrollment across buildings
• Use facilities more efficiently
• Preserve strong educational programming
• Explore opportunities to grow enrollment and look to increase revenue in both traditional and innovative approaches
• Partner with community organizations to expand resources

Importantly, unlike a failed referendum would have, the 2027-2028 Joint #1 Facilities & Grade Configuration Plan
does NOT:

• Close a school
• Result in staff layoffs
• Change class size targets
• Reduce student opportunities
• Negatively impact maintenance or safety
• Increase community facility fees

In short, the non-recurring referendum prevented abrupt cuts and stabilized the district in the short term. The Facilities & Grade Configuration Plan continues to support long-term sustainability by aligning our facilities with enrollment trends and providing opportunities to increase revenue while continuing to attract and retain students and families in a competitive educational landscape. These actions are not contradictory; they work together to protect students' educational experiences, preserve programs, and responsibly use community resources now and in the future.

No, the district is not closing or selling Eastview. The district will continue to operate and own Eastview. At this time, the district is exploring opportunities to grow enrollment and increase revenue through both traditional and innovative approaches, utilizing Eastview. Ideas include an early childhood learning center, expansion of alternative education (i.e., the district’s charter schools), and community-focused programs and partnerships. Over the next several months, the district will continue to provide updates on this work.

The 2027-2028 Facilities and Grade Configuration Plan was developed with input from a Community Action Committee composed of parents, staff, local business leaders, city and town officials, alumni, and community members. Click here to view the committee’s considerations.