Lake Geneva Schools Referenda Information
By: Dr. James Gottinger, District Administrator, Lake Geneva Schools
This is the first in a series of articles with the intention to inform the public of our upcoming referendum affecting both the Lake Geneva Joint #1 District and the Lake Geneva-Genoa City UHS (Badger) District that will appear on the April 6, 2021 ballot seeking voter approval. We hope this information will be helpful in providing you with the necessary information to make an informed decision. We also encourage you to VOTE on APRIL 6, 2021! All referenda questions can be passed with NO TAX RATE INCREASE to our citizens!
Both Districts Seek to Exceed State Imposed Revenue Limits by $750,000 Annually
Both the Joint #1 and Badger High School District have questions on the ballot to allow the districts to exceed the state imposed revenue limit by $750,000 annually.
The need to have this revenue flexibility comes with the loss of revenue to fund our schools. The Joint #1 District has lost over $3,000,000 dollars in revenue over the past ten years. The Badger District has lost $1,700,000 over that same period of time.
This has happened for a variety of reasons, but a general decline in enrollment is the main culprit. In addition ongoing costs to run schools like heat, light, transportation costs, etc. continue to rise. Our districts have made significant cuts in staffing to do our best to adjust to this lost revenue. The Joint #1 District cut $1,500,000 from their 2019-2020 budget with a reduction of almost seventeen staff positions. The Badger District cut over $600,000 in the 2020-2021 budget resulting in various cuts to programs and a reduction of six staff positions. Without the revenue limit relief asked for in this referendum, deeper cuts will have to be made in both districts.
The revenue limit relief we are asking for will allow us to offer current and improved academic programs as well as retain and attract quality staff to maintain excellent schools. The Joint #1 District has had all three elementary schools rated as five star schools in the past three years with Star Center also being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. We certainly want to see this continue.
Badger High School has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s top high schools and is noted for its quality of academic and extra-curricular programs. Revenue limit relief will allow the Badger District to maintain and improve upon those programs which, again, is a desirable outcome.
In conclusion, a successful passage of our referenda questions to exceed the revenue limit by $750,000 in each district will allow our Districts to maintain educational programming and optimal class sizes, retain excellent staff and also address ever increasing technology and safety needs.
PLEASE VOTE ON APRIL 6, 2021!
All three questions can be passed with NO TAX RATE INCREASE to our citizens!
Learn more about the Referendum at www.lakegenevaschools.com/district/referendum