November 5, 2024 Referendum FAQ

Like many Wisconsin school districts, the School District of Janesville does not receive adequate funding from the state due to three main factors:

• An outdated and inequitable school funding formula at the state level
• Inadequate funding increases from the state in recent years
• Increasing expenses and inflation

In Wisconsin, a state-imposed revenue limit restricts the amount of money school districts can receive through state aid and local property taxes. The funding formula used to calculate the limit was created more than 30 years ago and is outdated. As a result, the School District of Janesville and many districts statewide do not receive adequate levels of funding for student programs and services. 

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not expect the state’s funding formula to change anytime in the near future. 

In addition, expenses are on the rise. This is especially true in areas like mental health and special education, where the district does not receive enough funding to provide state- and federally mandated services for our students. We have also seen cost increases for things like transportation, supplies, equipment, and utilities.

Because the operational referendum would be in the same amount as the previous measure, there would be no expected property tax increase due to this measure being renewed on the school portion of tax bills for district residents.

Because of the district’s revenue situation, if the board does not receive approval for its operational referendum, the board will be forced to make cuts to programs and services, reduce staff, and increase class sizes. Like all school districts in Wisconsin, staffing costs account for nearly 80% of the district’s operating budget.

The following operational question will appear on the ballot:

Shall the School Board of the School District of Janesville be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes beginning with the 2025-26 school year through the 2026-27 school year on a non-recurring basis by an amount of $14,500,000 each year for the purpose of paying the costs of maintaining District class size, student program options and services as provided in the foregoing resolution?

Yes. The proposed operational referendum is a non-recurring, two-year referendum. This means it would expire at the end of the 2026-27 school year.

The School District of Janesville maintains:

• 12 elementary buildings account for a total 847,553 square feet on 113 acres.
• 3 middle school buildings account for a total of 524,003 square feet on 73 acres.
• 2 high school buildings account for a total of 661,923 square feet on 107 acres.

The district also maintains the Educational Service Center, Rock River Charter School and the Chestnut House totaling under 50,000 square feet and under 3 acres.

In total, the district maintains more than 2,083,000 square feet of property on about 296 acres. This is comparable to maintaining 1,000 homes of 2,000 square feet.

While our facility needs are substantial, addressing them all at once is not a realistic solution. We believe the most responsible approach is to develop a long-term, phased plan that prioritizes our most immediate needs while saving additional needs for future years. 

The Board of Education has voted to place a capital referendum question on the ballot for November 2024. This would represent Phase 1 of the long-term plan. 

Based on the district’s long-range facilities planning process and the input we have received from our community over the past two years, the Board of Education has decided to present a $151.8 million capital referendum on the ballot for Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

If it’s approved, SDJ would move forward on Phase 1 of our long-range facilities plan. Below is how these first-phase projects would break down:

• $124.5 million to repair or replace high-priority capital maintenance needs
• $11.1 million to enhance safety and security
• $16.2 million to improve special education classrooms

These projects would impact every school in the district and address the most pressing needs in each building. 

Yes. However, needs vary from school to school. To that end, schools may receive varying levels of funds based on their needs.

Below is a full list of facility maintenance needs at each of our buildings.

Adams:

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms, ramps, and stairs
• Exterior window replacement
• Replace lockers
• Replace unit ventilators and updated controls
• Replace electrical panels

Harrison:

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms & multi-use room stage
• Exterior window replacement
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility
• Upgrade parking lot lighting to LED
• Replace electrical panels
• Update electrical service to accommodate new air conditioning
• Replace selective pumps in mechanical room

Jackson:

• Repair foundation cracks
• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• ADA access to the courtyard
• Selective exterior sealant repairs
• Exterior window replacement
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Replace selective pumps in mechanical room
• Upgrade parking lot lighting to LED
• Replace electrical panels
• Update electrical service to accommodate new air conditioning

Jefferson:

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Replace exterior soffit
• Exterior window replacement
• Selective exterior door and overhead door repairs
• Replace kitchen coiling door
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility
• Replace electrical panels

Kennedy: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Update site lighting
• Update pipe fittings for heating system

Lincoln: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Selective roof repairs
• Exterior window replacement
• Selective exterior door and overhead door repairs
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Replace electrical panels

Madison: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms & multi-use room stage
• Various exterior ADA improvements
• Exterior window replacement
• Selective exterior door repairs
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Replace electrical panels

Monroe: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Various exterior ADA improvements
• Exterior soffit repairs
• Exterior window replacement
• Selective exterior walk door and overhead door repairs
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Replace electrical panels
• Update electrical service to accommodate new air conditioning

Roosevelt: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Various exterior ADA improvements including north stair
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Replace electrical panels

Van Buren: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Overhead exterior door repairs
• Selective bathroom tile repairs
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Replace electrical switchboard due to added air conditioning

Washington: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Selective roof replacement
• Selective brick and masonry sill repairs
• Exterior window replacement
• Selective exterior door repairs
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Replace electrical panels
• Update electrical service to accommodate new air conditioning

Wilson: 

• Repair foundation and floor slab cracks
• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Various exterior ADA improvements
• Replace exterior windows
• Exterior masonry joint/crack repairs
• Remove portico colonnade & patch wall
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility and updated controls
• Add thermostatic mixing valves (TMV’s) at sinks

Edison: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms
• Investigate structural issues and repair masonry cracks
• Replace stage curtain, lighting, and sound systems
• Replace auditorium seating
• Replace electrical panels

Franklin:

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms and locker rooms
• Various exterior ADA improvements
• Add elevator to 2nd floor gym space
• ADA accessibility to the auditorium stage
• Replace roofing
• Replace stage curtain, lighting, and sound systems
• Replace auditorium seating

Marshall: 

• Replace and update generator
• Update devices and circuiting to the generator
• Repair/maintain security system
• Replace chiller and boiler equipment

Craig: 

• Replace stage curtain, lighting, and sound systems
• Replace auditorium seating
• Replace electrical panels and feeder to the pool
• Selective repair/maintain to the security system
• Add thermostat control to select systems

Parker: 

• Repairs to south terrace, above pool locker room
• Replace aluminum entry doors and overhead doors
• Replace exterior louvers
• Replace stage curtain, lighting, and sound systems
• Replace auditorium seating
• Replace electrical panels and feeder to the pool

Educational Services Center: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms and primary travel routes
• Exterior window and storefront replacement             
• Replace electrical panels and upgrade fire alarm system
• Provide conditioned air to entire facility

Chestnut House: 

• ADA improvements to toilet rooms and various entryways
• Upgrade keyless entry system
• Upgrade thermostat control
• Replace toilet fixtures

Rock River Charter: 

• ADA improvements to main ramp and kitchen sink
• Roof membrane and parapet repairs
• Upgrade keyless entry system
• Upgrade thermostat control

The School District of Janesville’s long-term facilities planning process has been data driven and intentional. We began with a facilities assessment that involved a comprehensive study of our facilities, including a review of major building systems and a study of how our facilities support our educational goals. 

An additional study of the district’s outdoor sites and athletics fields accompanied the facilities assessment. Cost estimates were calculated for the building conditions portion of the facilities assessment.  

Below are the key takeaways from the facilities assessment:

• Many schools have antiquated, inefficient, or deteriorating building systems that are at or beyond their service life. This includes electrical components, mechanical systems, plumbing, roofing, windows, and more.
• Many buildings lack breakout areas and large-group instructional spaces used for collaboration, small group instruction, or co-teaching.  
• Most career and technical education and family and consumer science labs are outdated. 
• Many buildings could benefit from enhanced security measures, such as “layering” security features and improving traffic flow.
• Many specialty spaces, such as theater and athletics, suffer from various inadequacies.

We are being as thoughtful as possible during the planning process, using data and facts to make key decisions. Along the way, we are engaging parents, staff, and community members into these needs and potential solutions.

The referendum questions are as follows: 

Question 1:  BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67, Wisconsin Statutes, General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $151,800,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a building and improvement program consisting of: District-wide building renovation, site improvements, safety and security updates, capital improvements, HVAC systems upgrades, Americans with Disabilities Act updates, special education support spaces; and acquisition of related fixtures, furnishings and equipment.

Shall the foregoing resolution of the School Board of the School District of Janesville be approved?

Question 2:  Shall the School Board of the School District of Janesville be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes beginning with the 2025-26 school year through the 2026-27 school year on a non-recurring basis by an amount of $14,500,000 each year for the purpose of paying the costs of maintaining District class size, student program options and services as provided in the foregoing resolution?

Yes. The district held three staff informational sessions and three community conversations in winter and spring 2024 to provide information and gather feedback from our community. In addition, the district surveyed all community members in spring 2024.

Through this survey, we learned that there was solid support for addressing our most pressing facility needs, but not at the level outlined in our initial base plan of projects. The proposed solution of a $169.5 million referendum for facility improvements did not receive enough support from survey respondents to provide the Board of Education with confidence that a project of that size would be approved by voters in November.

The board asked the district administration and CORE Planning Team to refine and reduce the project components included in a potential capital referendum for facility improvements to better align with the level of support the community indicated through the survey.

The CORE Planning team and district leaders then engaged in a process to refine the proposed plan for facility improvements. In doing so, they prioritized ensuring student and staff safety; meeting the specialized needs of our most vulnerable students; and creating healthy learning environments. 

The team developed a new proposal that reduced the amount of a potential capital referendum from $169.5 million to $151.8 million. These reductions will defer some projects until future phases of the long-range facilities plan. 

At its July 23, 2024, meeting, the Board of Education received the updated recommendation and approved a $151.8 million capital referendum question for the November 5, 2024 ballot. 

The property tax impact of the capital referendum would be $81 per every $100,000 of assessed fair market property value. A home valued at $300,000 would see a property tax impact of $243 per year (or $20.25 per month) on their December 2025 property tax bill.

No. The Board of Education is asking voters to approve a capital referendum. The funds generated through a voter-approved referendum may only go toward facility improvements, such as new construction, additions, and renovations. The money cannot be used for staff salaries or other operational costs. 

If the referendum is approved by voters on November 5, the district and board will begin planning next steps in the process. This would involve working with our architect and construction manager to develop detailed plans and a phased project schedule for when work would take place in our 20 facilities over the course of the next several years. 

The public school funding system in Wisconsin is complex and has not kept up with the annual rising costs due to inflation. For a brief explanation of the funding system, watch this Public School Financing Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61v67ABUbmM)

The School District of Janesville maintains:

• 12 elementary buildings account for a total 847,553 square feet on 113 acres.
• 3 middle school buildings account for a total of 524,003 square feet on 73 acres.
• 2 high school buildings account for a total of 661,923 square feet on 107 acres.

The district also maintains the Educational Service Center, Rock River Charter School and the Chestnut House totaling under 50,000 square feet and under 3 acres.

In total, the district maintains more than 2,083,000 square feet of property on about 296 acres. This is comparable to maintaining 1,000 homes of 2,000 square feet.

• switching to a high deductible health plan for employees;
• reducing staff positions based on enrollment;
• making energy efficient upgrades to our facilities;
• managing debt; and
• reviewing things that affect the “cost of doing business” such as property and casualty insurance costs. 

Yes, the community passed its first operational referendum in 2020, and district voters have passed multiple facilities referendum, the two most recent in 2020 and 2006 for building renovations.

Because of the district’s revenue situation, if the board does not receive approval for its operational referendum, the board will be forced to make cuts to programs and services, reduce staff, and increase class sizes. Like most school districts in Wisconsin, staffing costs account for nearly 80% of the district’s operating budget.

The referendum questions are as follows: 

Question 1:  BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67, Wisconsin Statutes, General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $151,800,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a building and improvement program consisting of: District-wide building renovation, site improvements, safety and security updates, capital improvements, HVAC systems upgrades, Americans with Disabilities Act updates, special education support spaces; and acquisition of related fixtures, furnishings and equipment.
Shall the foregoing resolution of the School Board of the School District of Janesville be approved?

Question 2:  Shall the School Board of the School District of Janesville be authorized to exceed the revenue limit under Section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes beginning with the 2025-26 school year through the 2026-27 school year on a non-recurring basis by an amount of $14,500,000 each year for the purpose of paying the costs of maintaining District class size, student program options and services as provided in the foregoing resolution?

The Board of Education feels strongly that, as elected officials, they are charged by the community to protect the assets of the school district—including its buildings. Toward that end, if the referendum does not pass, the board will be forced to return to district voters with a new proposal for the district’s facilities in the future. 

The School District of Janesville will continue to look for ways to serve our community no matter what the result.  Next steps could include trying again in April 2025, however, this will be dependent on getting more feedback from the community.

The School Board of Janesville continuously makes difficult decisions that take into account our financial health, our mission, and our responsibility to our students and community.  If there is no increase in revenue, the board will make those difficult decisions.  What those decision are depend on evidence and data.  However, it is reasonable to assume that there will be changes in staffing and programs which will affect the classroom, our students, and our community.

By state law, school districts are permitted very few revenue streams.  The district’s operations are dependent primarily on funds from the State and local property taxes.

The School Board’s role is to provide the public with information so the people of the community can make an informed decision about a referendum.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This is the general election date in the state of Wisconsin.

• Can I vote absentee in this election?
  • Yes, voters 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. 

District residents can cast their ballots at their usual polling location on Tuesday, November 5. For more information on requesting a mail-in ballot, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee.

Yes, voters 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.

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.