The Conversation Continues
Follow for updates on school board meetings, facilities planning, and future referendum discussions.
Facilities Survey
The school board a new community facilities survey open for the month of July to gather additional community feedback before they determine the next referendum question. They need to hear from a variety of voices from the community so please participate to make your voice heard. Please share widely and broadly to help the board gather as much feedback as possible.
Recent School Board Meetings
July 15, 2026 - Main Takeaways
The district’s facilities survey had already drawn 1,164 responses, but board members were less interested in simply reaching a statistical minimum than in knowing if all demographics were being adequately represented. The survey closes July 31, with results discussed at the August 12th board meeting. Take the survey here!
The board reviewed different paths for the Middle School, including one new option: approximately $21 million to maintain infrastructure systems only, $67.7 million for a new building (the option from April), or $67.8 million for a comprehensive renovation. A new variation could preserve the Armory Memorial in place ($67.3 million), but it would reduce the adjacent lacrosse field
The district recommended against spending approximately $220,000 on a temporary High School HVAC controls upgrade. It could take six months to a year to complete, would not replace aging equipment, and would likely be removed during a future comprehensive replacement. This decision may be revisited depending on the result of the November referendum.
After a long discussion about elementary class sizes, the board directed the district to post one additional upper-grade teaching position. The assignment will remain flexible while enrollment changes are monitored. The district will keep its current 4K sections and continue watching whether another teacher may be needed. This will be discussed again in August.
June 10, 2026 - Main Takeaways
The board discussed and approved a community survey to gather additional feedback to help inform the next referendum questions. This survey is designed and run by The Donovan Group - the communications group hired last month. Survey will be open through the month of July. Survey can be taken here.
Two new focus groups were approved. One focused on neighbors who would be impacted with the location of a new middle school and the current middle school. A second group would focus on community members concerned about Armory Park and the Veteran’s Memorial. These focus groups will take place July 20th 6pm (Veteran’s memorial) and July 21st 6pm (MS Neighbors). They are also open to the public.
The HVAC business automation system experienced a server failure in late April, highlighting the risks of our school’s aging infrastructure. The system controls the HVAC parts at the High School, but also parts of Cumberland and Richards. The board discussed the trade-offs of doing nothing (worst case winter scenario means no control over heat in many HS classrooms) vs replacing partial parts (money/parts that will be replaced if/when a referendum is passed). This is a clear example of risk management that must be decided given the failed April referendum that would have provided a long term solution.
Referendum Fails by 302 Votes
THANK YOU to every person who voted YES, who shared our information, who talked to your neighbors, who helped us canvas, who hosted a yard sign, who donated for yard signs, who got in on the Facebook comments. This was a community effort in every sense.
Although the result wasn't what we'd hoped and is disappointing in many ways - it doesn't change our conviction that strong schools build strong communities. We're still committed. We'll still be here for the next vote to support our students, teachers and village. 300 votes is a gap we can close.
What Happens Now?
The Needs Remain
Whitefish Bay schools still need over $100M in facility updates. The school board will need to work on a plan that address the top priority middle school as well as the infrastructure needs of the elementary and high schools.
Likely Another Vote in November 2026
The school board has been convening to figure out a plan and process to get to hopefully get a new vote in November 2026. Please participate!
Note: School districts are able to ask up to 2 referendum questions a year. The costs will continue to eat into the operating budget until a referendum is passed. If no referendum is passed within 5 to 10 years, the district will need to start making cuts to staffing, compensation, and programs.
Why Use A Referendum?
Schools can’t just raise more money
Wisconsin school funding is set by the state. Each district has a revenue limit per student that cannot be exceeded without voter approval.
Whitefish Bay’s operating budget for 2025–26 is $35.5 million. The district can’t legally raise taxes without a referendum to fund large projects.
Most of the budget is used to pay for staff
About 80% of the operating budget goes to staff salaries and benefits ($28 million).
That leaves about $7 million to cover everything else, including:
• utilities
• technology and equipment
• special education services
• insurance
• routine maintenance
Capital projects are too large for annual budgets
In a good year, the district can save an extra $300K. This amount:
• cannot cover district-wide HVAC replacement ($30M+)
• cannot fund major roof replacements
• cannot pay for large additions or major renovations
School operating budgets are designed for annual expenses, not once-in-a-generation infrastructure upgrades. Referendums, by design, are the mechanism Wisconsin school districts use to fund large capital projects.
The last school facilities referendum in Whitefish Bay was approved in 2009 and funded building maintenance, safety improvements, and school additions.
Help Us for Round 2
We need all the help we can get to pass the next referendum.
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Who We Are
We are a group of engaged parents and community members who believe deeply in the value of strong public schools and the role they play in shaping our community’s future. Our mission is to provide clear, accurate information about the upcoming school capital referendum and why this investment matters for our students, neighbors, and village.
We believe that informed communities make the best decisions — and we’re proud to support a thoughtful, transparent plan for our schools’ future.
This effort is 100% community-driven. We are volunteers who care about safe, modern learning environments, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and long-term planning that benefits both current and future generations. We know strong schools are essential for academic excellence and property values. Our goal is to help voters understand the needs behind the referendum, the solutions being proposed, and the impact this investment will have on our schools and community. Strong schools build strong communities.