Why Vote NO
CLAIM - It’s a $66 annual increase in property taxes.
Total Cost is $402, not $66 (based on a $600,000 home) since it is using funds that would otherwise be returned to the community.
CLAIM - It’s a $100,000,000 investment.
Total cost plus interest is estimated to be at least $165.8M, not $100M.
While Elmbrook has a AAA bond rating, the projected $165M is also subject to interest rate risk.
WHAT'S NOT BEING SAID!
$165M+ does not appear to factor in the reduction in state aid.
A projection based on $85,000,000 projected a $14,500,769 reduction in state aid.
The current $100,000,000 proposed referendum would likely reduce state aid more than $14.5M.
Elmbrook states: MORE AID = LESS TAXES
CLAIM - Controlled spending has resulted in the lowest mill rate in history.
“Controlled spending" is not the primary driver of the reduction in Elmbrook’s mill rate. State aid plus property taxes determines Elmbrook’s funding.
The addition of 4K in 21-22, which increased enrollment, increased state aid. Enrollment gains from adding 4K appear to be flattening out.
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CLAIM - Enrollment is projected to remain steady.
2030-2031 enrollment projections in Elmbrook’s 20 Year Facilities Plan show the majority of schools having lower enrollment and buildings are well below capacity.
Current data appears to support this lower trend as 26-27 enrollment is currently down by 59 students. It is heavily concentrated at elementary, showing less families overall entering the district.
CLAIM - The facilities are in poor condition.
In 2023, Elmbrook paid for a professional assessment by Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) of the current facilities.
The professional assessment by EUA indicates buildings are in superior condition relative to peer districts. Even at the lower end, facilities are categorized as "functional [with] average wear for building age."
CLAIM - Safety, interiors and aesthetics are in need of repair.
EUA’s assessment confirms that safety is already rated as "good" across all current facilities. While metrics for "wants" like aesthetics and equipment were scored lower, the core functional needs of Elmbrook sites appear to be well-maintained.
CLAIM - ADA updates need to be addressed.
ADA updates are not the majority of the referendum expenses. At Pilgrim Park, the proposed referendum cost is $50M+ with $27M earmarked to expand the gym and make ADA updates. The district has not broken out how much out of $27M is only for ADA updates, and we believe the gym expansion will be the majority of the $27M. There also have been no major changes within the district in ADA requirements for ~30 years.
If changes to increase ADA accessibility were a goal, the current referendum only addresses 4 schools. There appears to be ADA updates that could be made in other schools. For example, in the 20-Year Facilities Plan, Burleigh is listed as having “accessibility constraints.”
WHAT'S NOT BEING SAID!
From 2015-2025 Elmbrook spent over $60,000,000 on facilities, but only one ADA update was listed at Swanson in 2023. That cost was $100,000 for “playground equipment and ADA pathway.”
$60M+ of spending included $5.2M for a brand new district office. Millions were also spent on athletic facilities and library remodels.
CLAIM - Elmbrook’s “legacy of stewardship” has “successfully managed the District’s facility portfolio through proactive asset management and operational efficiency.”
This claim may lead the community to believe that a $100,000,000 referendum is critical to the continued success of the entire district.
In reality, the current proposed referendum is unbalanced and will be spent on 4 schools out of 10.
Additionally, Elmbrook has indicated that other properties will need “significant planning efforts” which would likely require another referendum.