Important School News

On Wednesday evening, January 10th, the Brighton School District #1 Board of Education voted unanimously to place a referendum question on the ballot for the Tuesday, April 2, 2024 election. The Board is asking community members to voice their opinions and vote.

From now through April 1, the District will provide as many opportunities as possible to understand the rationale behind this decision, the impact on property taxes, and the operations affected. Stay tuned for more communications, as well as opportunities for questions and answers.

What is it?

The question on the April 2, 2024 ballot is that of an Operations Referendum. An Operations Referendum asks voters to approve additional funding above the annual revenue limit to maintain things like: class sizes, programs, and student services. Funds secured are used within the year they are received. The actual question on the ballot will read as follows:

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School

District Number 1, Town of Brighton, Kenosha and Racine

Counties, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School

District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified

in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $200,000 for the 2024-

2025 school year, by $225,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by

$250,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $275,000 for the

2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of

operational expenses and maintaining educational programming.

Why is the school asking this question?

Starting about 20 years ago, Operations Referendums to exceed the revenue limit have become very common in Wisconsin. About 30 years ago, the State of WI placed revenue limits on school districts, capping how much the District could increase property taxes for school operating expenditures. This placed the responsibility of the District to (a) become more fiscally responsible and (b) provided for more local control in decision-making. In other words, if the District deems it necessary to exceed the revenue limit, the District must ask the local taxpayers to vote on it. In the distant past, it was just imposed.

In Brighton School, we benefit from small class sizes (student-to-teacher ratio), recruitment and retention of teachers, assuring we pay off our bills such as transportation and utilities, and offer opportunities above and beyond what is required of the State. Spanish classes for 5-8 grade students is an example of an academic opportunity above and beyond what is mandated. With a failed operations referendum, each of these areas will be significantly impacted.

Property Tax Impact

Approval of the Question of exceeding the Revenue Limit for an Operations referendum would result in an estimated tax increase average of $67 annually or $5.60 per month (the cost of a Culver’s meal), on a property value of $100,000. The duration of the increase is for four years.

Future Communication Opportunities:

There will be several opportunities for communication on this topic listed below. These opportunities will also be listed on our website in the scrolling ticker on the homepage (www.brightonschool.net). I also welcome your feedback directly through phone call or email (creid@brightonschool.net) 262.878.2191

February 8th @ 6:30 pm- Referendum presentation in the school cafeteria

February 16th @ 8:30 am- Referendum presentation in the school cafeteria

Respectfully,

Carrie Reid