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Referendum Videos

The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District is releasing informational videos to educate the public about the upcoming April 1st Operational Referendum. Watch the videos below. As you review these videos, if you have questions:

A Vital Referendum

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, our community will vote on a proposed non-recurring referendum for the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District. If approved, the district will be able to increase its annual budget by $4 million each year for the next four school years, through the 2028-2029 school year. This increase will help address the district's deficit and support safety and security improvements. 

The funding secured through this referendum is vital to ensure our district can avoid significant cuts to essential programs, services, and staffing across our schools, as well as addressing critical safety and security infrastructure, safeguarding the overall well-being and education of our students.

This video was created in partnership with Premio Media, Lake Geneva, WI | Neil Gowan, Producer
 

 

Exceptional Teachers & Staff

Our school district has a high retention of qualified educators, ensuring an exceptional education for all students. The dedicated teachers and staff of Lake Geneva Joint #1 are the foundation of our students’ success.

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, our community will vote on a proposed non-recurring operational referendum for the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District. If the referendum is not approved, the district will face a significant budget shortfall. To address this, we may be forced to eliminate 16-20 full-time positions—including teachers and essential staff—for the 2025-2026 school year. This reduction will lead to class sizes exceeding our target range of 20-24 students, directly impacting student learning and individualized attention.

This video was created in partnership with Premio Media, Lake Geneva, WI | Neil Gowan, Producer

 

Student Academic Achievement

The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District takes great pride in being an integral part of our community as we fulfill our mission to engage, educate, and empower our students, staff, and families. Our district is known for its strong academic and co-curricular programs, the incredible opportunities we provide students, and our dedicated staff.

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, our community will vote on a proposed non-recurring operational referendum for the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District. If the referendum is not approved, the district will face a significant budget shortfall, leading to reductions that impact our students, such as:

  • Scaling back or eliminating academic programs and extracurricular activities.
  • Discontinuing in-town busing, increasing walking distances and bus ride times.
  • Raising student fees for families.
  • Reducing the number of instructional days due to a modified academic calendar.
  • Closing an elementary school beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
  • Reorganizing grade levels and school boundaries within the district.
  • Increasing class sizes beyond the district’s target range of 20-24 students, impacting individual attention and learning quality.

This video was created in partnership with Premio Media, Lake Geneva, WI | Neil Gowan, Producer

 

Music Programming

The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District is proud to be a vital part of our community, committed to engaging, educating, and empowering our students, staff, and families. We are known for strong academics, exceptional co-curricular programs, and dedicated educators who create meaningful opportunities for students.

Music education is a key part of our district, enriching students’ learning and development. However, without the necessary funding from the April 1 referendum, non-state-mandated academic programs and extracurricular activities—including music—may face reductions or cuts.

This video was created in partnership with Premio Media, Lake Geneva, WI | Neil Gowan, Producer

 

Safety & Security

The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District takes great pride in being an integral part of our community, fulfilling our mission to engage, educate, and empower students, staff, and families. However, our district faces financial challenges that require community-wide attention.

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, residents will vote on an operational referendum for the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District. This funding is critical for school safety and security improvements, including upgraded security cameras, doors, and emergency communication systems (radios and phone systems). Without an approved referendum, these essential upgrades will be delayed, increasing safety risks.

This video was created in partnership with Premio Media, Lake Geneva, WI | Neil Gowan, Producer

 

Extracurricular Programming

The Lake Geneva Joint #1 School District takes great pride in being an integral part of our community, fulfilling our mission to engage, educate, and empower students, staff, and families. However, our district faces financial challenges that require community-wide attention.

Extracurricular programs—including sports, clubs, and Lighted School House after-school activities—play a vital role in connecting students to their school and building relationships with peers and staff. These experiences foster joy, pride, and a strong sense of belonging while developing confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills that support success both in and outside the classroom.

Without the necessary funding from the April 1 referendum, non-state-mandated academic and extracurricular programs may face reductions or cuts, impacting the opportunities that help our students thrive.

This video was created in partnership with Premio Media, Lake Geneva, WI | Neil Gowan, Producer

 

Wisconsin School Funding

How are Wisconsin public schools funded? School funding can be a complicated and confusing topic. This short video created by the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) and the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) provides a great explanation of why so many Wisconsin school districts are finding that an operational referendum is necessary.