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Traver School (Linn-Bloomfield J4 School District) is dedicated to providing a comprehensive educational environment for all our students. The School Board has approved a $650,000 recurring operational referendum on the November ballot. We are asking voters to consider this referendum, which, if approved, would maintain student safety and learning and to provide for operational needs for the school including necessary repairs to an aging building. We are requesting only essential improvements to enhance our student learning environment. The Board considered all options, cut out anything that was not absolutely necessary, and reduced the ask to less than half of the original proposed work. We strive to remain an exceptional value to our community while being fiscally responsible for our taxpayers.
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TAX IMPACTWe estimate that taxpayers may pay approximately $24 more per month (per $500,000 of property value) for 2024-2025. This rate is projected to decrease to about $12 more per month for 2025-2026. After that, the Mill rate is expected to continue decreasing each year.
Currently, our Mill Rate is at a historic low of $2.53. If the referendum passes, it is anticipated to increase for two years, then drop in 2026-2027 due to debt reduction, and continue to decrease. For comparison, ten years ago, the Mill Rate was $4.41. TAX IMPACT CALCULATORThis simple tool is designed to help our residents understand how referendum questions could affect their property taxes. By entering your basic information you’ll get a personalized estimate of any tax changes that may result from the referendum questions. This calculator makes it easy for you to see how potential investments in our school might impact your household, giving you clear and accurate information to make an informed decision.
Directions: Enter your Fair Market Value (no commas, ex. 150000) and click on Calculate to see your tax estimates. |
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PROJECT LIST
The plan is to do the work during summertime to minimize learning disruptions. The projects will be spread out over four summers to help with budgeting. Please note that the projects outlined are subject to change based on the evolving needs of our students and the necessity to prioritize their safety and learning. The School Board will continue to monitor the project budget carefully. It is their desire to maximize the funds to bring the most value to taxpayers.
• 2001 Roof Replacement over the gym, science room, 4K room, 5K room
• Replace the 2006 roof membrane (keep the insulation for cost savings) over Grades 1-2-3-4
• Replace main entry doors
• Install a secure door system on 3 exterior entrances
• Update security cameras as needed and update the monitoring system
• Replace the lower playground equipment
• Replace the upper playground equipment
• Replace the retaining wall of the entryway
• Sealcoat the asphalt in the front parking area and playground area
• Repair damaged drywall in the cafeteria under the windows
• Create a bathroom by the cafeteria for accessibility in that area of the building
• Repair and refinish the gym floor
• Save any leftover funds from previous budget year to the next for operations
• Continually monitor, assess, and plan for future years
• Replace the 2006 roof membrane (keep the insulation for cost savings) over Grades 1-2-3-4
• Replace main entry doors
• Install a secure door system on 3 exterior entrances
• Update security cameras as needed and update the monitoring system
• Replace the lower playground equipment
• Replace the upper playground equipment
• Replace the retaining wall of the entryway
• Sealcoat the asphalt in the front parking area and playground area
• Repair damaged drywall in the cafeteria under the windows
• Create a bathroom by the cafeteria for accessibility in that area of the building
• Repair and refinish the gym floor
• Save any leftover funds from previous budget year to the next for operations
• Continually monitor, assess, and plan for future years
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the referendum question look like on the ballot?
The official question will be asked as written below:
Shall the following resolution be approved?
RESOLUTION TO INCREASE REVENUE LIMITS
FOR OPERATIONAL NEEDS
Be it resolved by the School Board of Joint School District Number 4, Towns of Linn and Bloomfield, Walworth County, Wisconsin, that the school district budget for the 2024-2025 school year, and for each successive year thereafter, shall include, on a recurring basis, an amount of $650,000 in excess of the revenue limits imposed by Section 121.91(2m) of the Wisconsin Statutes in order to maintain and enhance student safety and learning and to provide for operational needs of the school district.”
When is election day and where can I cast my ballot?
Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This is the general election date in the state of Wisconsin.
District residents can cast their ballots at their usual polling location if you are unsure where that is please visit: Find My Polling Place (wi.gov) For more information on requesting a mail-in ballot, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee
Can I vote absentee? If so, how?
Yes, District residents may request that an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason. However, you must be registered before you can request an absentee ballot. If you are registered, you can request an absentee ballot by visiting https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee. Note that you must provide a photo ID with your absentee ballot request.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
Eligible voters can register up to election day and can even register at the polls. The deadline to register by mail is October 16, 2024. The deadline to register in person as the City Clerk-Treasurer’s Office is November 1, 2024.
To learn more about registering to vote, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/register-To-Vote. Additional information on registration and other deadlines is available at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Voter-Deadlines.
What is the purpose of this referendum?
The purpose of the upcoming referendum is to maintain student safety and learning and to provide for operational needs for the school including necessary repairs to an aging building. We are requesting only essential improvements to enhance our student learning environment. The Board considered all options, cut out anything that was not absolutely necessary, and reduced the ask to half of the original proposed work. We strive to remain an exceptional value to our community while being fiscally responsible for our taxpayers.
What challenges is the District facing that are addressed by the referendum?
Aged Roof: The roof over the gym, science room, and 4K/5K classrooms is 23 years old. There have been leaks in the science room and the gym that have been repaired. The assessment is that the roof is at the end of its useful life. Both the insulation and membrane need to be replaced and will be a ballasted roof like it is now for cost savings.
The second roof replacement is the 2006 addition in the back of the building over the grades 1-4 classrooms. Luckily, the insulation is still in good shape and only the membrane needs to be replaced, so there is a significant cost savings.
Safety Updates: Our building’s entry doors are seeing their useful life. After 23 years of constant use, they need to be replaced. Furthermore, to maintain better security, we need to update our camera system and secure our entries. Our kids need to feel safe in a secured building.
Driveway and Parking Lot: The driveway and parking lot need seal coating. The district fixed and updated all the asphalt in three phases over four years from 2019-2022. Now, the maintenance continues to avoid more large repairs and potential safety hazards for vehicles and pedestrians.
Aging Playground Equipment: The equipment is showing its age. There are rust spots and thinning safety coatings. Without replacement, students will continue using facilities that may no longer meet modern safety standards. This increases the risk of injury.
Insufficient Restroom Facilities Near the Cafeteria: Additional bathrooms in this area are necessary during busy meal periods and for events held in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is a common large group area for events, both during school and in evenings with families. The additional bathrooms will be ADA compliant as well.
How did the referendum come about?
The school board extensively reviewed options. They started with a list of recommended repairs which came back with a $3.3 million dollar cost estimate. This was considerably more than they wanted to ask our residents. As a result, they spent time whittling the project list down to only the ones that the kids could not risk having. The projects included a roof over the kids’ heads, a safe building to learn in, a safe playground, and safe recess grounds. The board managed to reduce the amount to about half the original amount.
Why weren’t the repairs budgeted before now?
The board tried to budget for the repairs. Unfortunately, school finances are tricky for saving long-term. The board is trying to alleviate this problem by starting a Fund 46 account which will help with capital expenses. This account will become ready to use in 2028. The district saw a good savings from reducing staffing and will continue to look for ways to reduce the budget.
Why is it a recurring referendum?
The board had to decide how to ask our taxpayers to help. They looked at both non-recurring and recurring questions. Many budget scenarios were proposed and analyzed. The final decision came down to: how can we make this as affordable as possible to taxpayers?
The recurring option came about because the budget forecast model projected that the project completion and funds could be stretched farther over time. (The model projects 5 years into the future.) The total levy will be higher for the 24-25 and 25-26 years to accommodate the bigger projects, but then drop and stay fairly stable in the next years. The Mill rate will reflect this trend.
I don’t have kids in school anymore; how does maintaining a school building help my family?
A well-maintained, modern school district can positively impact you and your community in several ways, even if you no longer have children in our District. High-quality schools are linked to increased property values, as homebuyers prioritize areas with good educational facilities. This demand can help protect or even enhance your home's value. For instance, families are willing to pay premiums to live near schools, which boosts the resale value of homes in the area.
Additionally, a school is a hub for community activities and recreational spaces that families of all ages can benefit from. Improved facilities also foster a vibrant local economy by attracting new residents, businesses, and services to the area. Quality school districts are also associated with safer neighborhoods, well-maintained public spaces, and a strong sense of community, which benefits everyone, not just families with children.
Sources: Really Estate | Chafin Communities | Homeonomics
What about consolidating with Reek Elementary School instead of spending more money on Traver?
Yes, it is possible. We would have to be a 2-building district (like Brookwood Schools in Genoa City) because neither school is big enough to house all the children together. There are several steps that would need to be taken at the local level and the state would have to also approve the change. For example, residents of both districts would need to vote on the consolidation. If all that were to happen, both school boards would then be dissolved and a new election for the consolidated district would take place. The administration and staff would need to be consolidated as well. The process could take years.
Furthermore, as part of the consolidation, Reek taxpayers would need to agree to raise their mill rate. Typically, when schools consolidate, the higher rate prevails. Our building will still need to be repaired, and operational costs would still need to be considered. Reek is also asking for operational funds to maintain their building this election.
What about consolidating/being absorbed into Lake Geneva J1 instead of spending money on Traver?
Yes, it is possible. If the Traver School building becomes part of the Lake Geneva J1 district under their administration, our School Board would be dissolved and our teachers would, hopefully, be hired at J1. It would be similar to the Reek consolidation question. Several steps would need to be taken at the local level and the state would have to also approve the change. The process could take years.
Lake Geneva J1 is experiencing enrollment decline, so it seems plausible that they would close this building and the Traver kids would go to the Lake Geneva schools. The Traver building would become vacant and would need to be sold or repurposed.
In this case, our resident taxpayers would likely have a higher mill rate because Lake Geneva J1’s rate is higher than ours. For example, our highest ask is $3.10 and the current rate for Lake Geneva J1 is $4.35.
Using our highest ask and combining Badger HS’s current mill rate is $5.93 total. If we were to consolidate with J1 (meaning taxpayers would pay the J1 rate), the mill rate could be $7.18 total for our residents.
Do I need to vote for both Traver's and Reek's referendums?
No. Whichever district you live in is the referendum you vote for.