Phill Klamm, district administrator, is doing his best to make the rounds to inform the public about the Walworth Jt. School District #1's referendum on the April 4 general election ballot.
The school district is seeking $1.4 million in additional revenue for the 2023-24 school year, $1.6 million in 2024-25 and $1.8 million in 2025-26 with a three-year, non-recurring operating referendum.
Klamm recently explained that the district has, so far, had four Community Information Nights. There will be one or two more scheduled this month. On March 16, he will present to the Interested Citizens Community Forum at the Walworth Memorial Library.
On top of that, Klamm has presented at the Village of Fontana board meeting, the Town of Walworth board meeting, the Village of Walworth board meeting and he gave a presentation to residents at Golden Years in Walworth. Still ahead will be presentations at the Town of Linn and the Town of Sharon board meetings this month.
"I will be presenting at our Family Partnerships Program on April 3rd," said Klamm. "I have had numerous phone calls and emails from residents asking for more information on the district and this referendum."
He said many people are asking about the cost of the referendum. He noted Walworth's current school tax is less than 94 percent of other districts in Wisconsin.
For those still wondering what the money would be used for, Klamm explained the situation.
"The funds would be used to maintain staffing levels at the school, which, in turn, would keep the programming that we have," said Klamm. "In addition, some of the money will be spent on much-needed safety improvements."
Besides meeting with the public, many other avenues of communications have been employed, including many mailings to district residents and online information.
The total yearly property tax impact per $100,000 of assessed value would be $253.07 the first year, followed by $275.44 and $295.12 in the next two years, respectively.
This is the first time the district has requested an operational referendum.