(The Center Square) – The Wauwatosa School District is asking voters to approve a pair of referendums worth $124.4 million on the Nov. 5 ballot.
But a taxpayer advocacy group believes the district, with declining enrollment, should “right-size” its current budget rather than using a referendum to spend more taxpayer money. The group pointed toward a second planned referendum in 2026 as part of a cycle of tax increases that it believes needs to end.
The group points to a reported $4 million budget mistake by the district as a sign of mismanagement.
The district’s two proposals include $16.1 million per year for four years to fund operational expenses such as salaries and benefits and a $60 million referendum for maintenance and capital projects at Eisenhower, Madison, Roosevelt, Jefferson, and Washington elementary schools, Montessori/Fisher and Wauwatosa East and West high schools.
State law caps how much a district can increase its property tax levy without voter approval. The district had 110 less resident students last year than it did in 2017-18.
The district says the first referendum includes $52.4 million to maintain class sizes and academic programs, $8 million to increase teacher compensation and $4 million to update curriculum and materials.
“Because state funding has not kept pace with inflation, the District is facing a budget shortfall of $9.3 million for the 2024-25 school year – and $61 million over the next five years,” the district said. “The District plans to use its fund balance to fill this budget gap for the 2024-25 school year. However, this is not a sound long-term financial strategy.”
