Whitefish Bay School District referendum: What to know ahead of Nov. 3 vote

Voters in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, will decide on Nov. 3 whether the school district can borrow up to $90 million through general obligation bonds. The money would rebuild the middle school on its current campus, pay for capital maintenance and infrastructure work at the high school, and update fire protection and alarm systems at the high school and both elementary schools. The district enrolls 2,861 students in four schools.

This is the district's second attempt this year. In April, voters turned down a $135 million proposal that would have put a new middle school slightly south of the existing site; it fell about 300 votes short. According to the article, some opponents objected to building on land that holds a veterans' memorial, and others opposed the tax increase of $260 per $100,000 of home value. The new plan keeps the middle school where it is and would raise taxes by $125 per $100,000. For the average home, valued at $685,800, that works out to $857 next year. The school board unanimously put the question on the ballot on Aug. 19.

The district and supporters say the century-old buildings have systems at the end of their useful lives. Critics argue the tax hike would add to cost-of-living pressures, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. The district says that if funding is not approved, repair costs could force cuts to programs within five to 10 years. All registered village voters can vote, and in-person absentee voting begins Oct. 20 at Village Hall.