Voting day is April 7. Many school districts across Wisconsin, including East Troy, will be asking voters to approve referendums. Those who take time to learn about school funding understand that Wisconsin’s school funding formula is outdated, forcing districts to rely on referendums to maintain operations.

These informational graphics highlight both East Troy’s fiscal responsibility and the financial challenges our district—and many others across Wisconsin—face.

While it is unfortunate that referendums have become the norm just to keep schools operating, there is growing awareness across the state about the need for meaningful school funding reform. This article helps explain these challenges; there is even a current lawsuit addressing the issue.

East Troy Community School District is on a strong academic trajectory thanks to the support our community showed in passing the last two referendums. We are deeply grateful. To maintain that progress, we must pass another operational referendum this April. This measure continues the previous operational referendum— it is not an additional operational referendum. 

If the referendum fails, the consequences for our schools and community will be dire.

Please make a plan to vote on April 7, and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. As the Greek proverb reminds us: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Our votes today help secure a brighter future for the children of our community.