Your Questions, Answered

  • Think of a mill rate like sharing. Imagine all the neighbors need to keep the school running. Everyone who owns a house helps pay for it.

    If your house is worth a lot, you pay a little more. If your house is worth less, you pay a little less. That way, everyone helps share the cost fairly.

    Right now, Elmbrook's school mill rate is $6.26 — the lowest it's ever been in our district's history. That means for every $1,000 your house is worth, you pay $6.26 a year to help the schools.

    If the referendum passes: The mill rate goes to $6.37. That's only 11 cents more per $1,000.

    For a house worth $600,000, that's about $66 more per year. That's like paying about $1 each week.

    Sources:

  • The District is authorized to borrow up to $100 million for the proposed facility projects at four schools. Like a home mortgage or other long-term borrowing, the District will also pay interest over the repayment period.

    Based on current projections, the total principal and interest is estimated at approximately $165.8 million. The final interest cost will depend on market rates when the bonds are issued and how the debt is structured.

    Here's why the cost stays manageable: Elmbrook has an Aaa bond rating, the highest available from Moody's. This helps the District secure lower borrowing rates. Moody's has cited Elmbrook's strong reserves, moderate long-term liabilities, growing tax base, and well-managed operations as factors supporting this top rating. The District has also refinanced existing debt when market conditions allowed, reducing future interest costs for taxpayers.

    In other words: they borrow smart, they pay less.

  • The district does save money for buildings and repairs. In fact, they’ve earmarked up to $90 million of their own budget for the maintenance and operations of these improvements over the next 15 years.

    Here's the choice: We can wait 20 more years for the money to add up. OR we can borrow money now and pay it back over time while students benefit from the better buildings right away.

    Borrowing now is better because: waiting means more things break and get more expensive, everyone who uses the buildings for the next 40 years helps pay, and Elmbrook's great credit rating means we get good loan rates.

    https://annualreport.elmbrookschools.org/

  • No. Elmbrook's enrollment has been relatively stable, and we're experiencing modest growth in elementary grades. The four buildings targeted for renovation — Pilgrim Park and Wisconsin Hills middle schools, plus Tonawanda and Swanson elementaries — serve the core of our student population and community.

    Five-Year Enrollment Forecast:

    • 2026-27: 7,870 students

    • 2027-28: 7,835 students

    • 2028-29: 7,797 students

    • 2029-30: 7,792 students

    • 2030-31: 7,765 students

    Our enrollment has stayed around 7,800 students for years, and it's expected to stay stable. These renovations will serve our community for the next 30-40 years regardless of whether enrollment grows or stays flat.

  • The four buildings we're renovating were built between 1958 and 1969. They're 55-65 years old. At that age, major systems fail: roofs leak, HVAC systems break down, plumbing corrodes, electrical systems need replacing. The district's Facilities Condition Assessment documents that deferred maintenance is now creating real instructional problems — inadequate science lab space, bathrooms in poor condition, outdated HVAC that can't maintain temperature control. Waiting longer doesn't solve this; it makes it more expensive. A roof that needs replacing in 2026 costs more to replace in 2030 if it's already been leaking for four years.

    Source:

  • Yes, there will be some disruption, but the district is planning phased construction to minimize it. Some buildings may require temporary relocation of certain grade levels or programs (within the same building) during heavy renovation phases. However, the disruption of a few years of construction is far preferable to the ongoing disruption of aging buildings: teachers managing bathrooms across hallways, science classes without proper lab space, classrooms too hot or too cold, aging HVAC systems that can't maintain temperature control. The goal is to get through construction quickly so students benefit from modern, fully functional school buildings for decades.

  • Phase 1 of the 20-Year Facilities Plan runs from January 2027 through December 2031, prioritizing the four renovation schools while also addressing maintenance and repair projects at other district schools. The phased approach allows the district to minimize instructional disruption while completing work efficiently.

    Source:

  • A full replacement of Pilgrim Park Middle School would cost approximately $128 million. Instead, the district is planning a comprehensive renovation for $50.4 million — that's 60% less. Renovation is dramatically more efficient than new construction, and it keeps these buildings in service for another 30-40 years.

    Here's the cost breakdown for all four schools in the referendum:

    • Pilgrim Park Middle (built 1958): $50,368,000

    • Wisconsin Hills Middle (built 1969): $6,389,000

    • Swanson Elementary (built 1960): $9,526,000

    • Tonawanda Elementary (built 1969): $33,717,000

    • Total: $100,000,000

    Sources:

  • Schools need money for teachers, buildings, and supplies. That money comes from three places: the state, property taxes, and the federal government.

    But here's the problem: In 2009, the state stopped giving schools more money when things got more expensive. So schools got less help while their costs went up. Teachers still need to be paid. Heat still costs money. Things just cost more than they did before.

    Because of this, districts around Wisconsin have to ask voters for help by having referendums.

    Sources:

  • A referendum is a direct vote by residents on a specific question. In Wisconsin, school districts can ask voters to approve borrowing money for major capital projects (building and renovation) through a referendum. The district cannot borrow for these projects without voter approval. Referendums can also ask voters to allow districts to exceed state-imposed "revenue limits" for operating expenses.

    Source:

  • Almost two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts have asked voters for help in the last few years. Why? Because of the problem mentioned above: the state stopped giving schools more money, but everything costs more.

    Elmbrook hasn't asked for a referendum since 2008 (for high school renovations). But now four of our school buildings are 55-65 years old and need serious work. At the same time, budgets are tight everywhere.

    This isn't just a Elmbrook problem. It's a Wisconsin problem. Over 90% of all school districts in Wisconsin have needed referendums at some point.

    Sources:

  • A capital referendum funds long-term building projects: renovations, new construction, major repairs. The money is borrowed and paid back over time (usually 20 years), which is why mill rate increases are tied to debt repayment schedules. An operating referendum funds day-to-day costs like teacher salaries, supplies, and programs, and can be set for a limited time period or permanently. This referendum is capital only — it's purely about fixing four aging school buildings.

  • Elmbrook voters rejected a referendum in 2007 — a painful lesson. The district asked for $108.8 million to renovate the high schools and voters said no. The district re-scoped the project to a smaller $62.2 million referendum, which passed in 2008 with 52% of the vote.

    If this referendum fails, the district will face a choice: scale back the project (which means not all four buildings get the renovations they need, or go back to the public again with a smaller scope. The district will continue to prioritize maintenance and repair of aging facilities, however construction costs will continue climb. Meanwhile, students continue learning in buildings with aging systems and inadequate spaces. The 2007 failure cost Elmbrook time and money — and students. That's why acting now matters.

    Sources:

  • Yes for Elmbrook is an independent community organization formed by Elmbrook parents, residents, and education supporters. We are not the school district. We operate separately from the district's official referendum communication to ensure we can speak directly and honestly with our neighbors about why this referendum matters.

    Our leadership includes volunteers from across our community. We are funded by community donations and registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission as a referendum committee.

    The district has its own official referendum communication effort. Yes to Elmbrook complements but does not replace that. Our focus is on telling the human story of why these renovations matter to our kids and our community.

    Sources:

  • A spring 2026 community survey (2,911 responses) showed strong support:

    • 67% voted "yes" or "probably yes" for the four-school $100 million renovation plan

    • 62% supported a smaller two-school $85 million option

    • 8.78 out of 10 on the Net Promoter Score (99th percentile nationally)

    • 96% validate the district's high educational quality

    • 85% explicitly endorse the district's financial asset management

    The survey reflects broad community confidence in Elmbrook's stewardship and strong alignment on the need for these renovations.

    Source:

  • Yes. Everyone who lives in Elmbrook School District should vote on this. Here's why: Strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. They affect property values, they shape where families choose to live, and they benefit the entire community through engaged citizens, local economic activity, and civic participation. Whether you have kids in school today, had kids in school in the past, or never will — your neighbors' children are learning in these buildings, and the quality of those buildings reflects on all of us. Plus, a community thrives when all its institutions are strong. Elmbrook schools matter to Elmbrook as a place.

    More Questions? Contact Yes to Elmbrook at info@yestoelmbrook.org

    Learn more: Visit yestoelmbrook.com or elmbrookschools.org/referendum2026