Why Vote Yes
If this referendum passes, Elmbrook could:
Keep attracting the best teachers: Elmbrook is ranked #1 in Wisconsin and #75 nationally because our educators matter. Updated buildings and modern learning spaces keep us competitive with top districts across the country and ensure we retain the educators our students deserve.
Maintain our advanced offerings: Brookfield Central and Brookfield East rank in the top 10 statewide for ACT performance and offer 26 Advanced Placement courses. That excellence starts in the elementary and middle schools. Updated facilities protect the pipeline that feeds our excellent high school outcomes.
Create learning spaces for today's students: Four of our schools were built in the 1950s and 60s. Modern teaching methods need modern spaces. These renovations create environments where both teachers and students can thrive in the 21st century.
Fix critical building needs and ensure accessibility: Our oldest buildings need major repairs. Roofs, mechanical systems, and infrastructure are aging. We also have an obligation to ensure all our buildings are fully accessible to students with disabilities.
When we invest in our schools, we all benefit:
Student learning improves: Elmbrook students are thriving. Math proficiency: 95.5. Reading proficiency: 88.0. Graduation rate: 98.9%. 81.3% of third graders read at grade level (vs. 50.3% state average). Updated buildings protect these outcomes.
Home values stay strong: Many of us chose Elmbrook for the schools. Research shows that investments in schools are directly linked to property values. Strong schools keep our community desirable. That protects your investment.
A skilled workforce emerges: Today's Elmbrook student could be tomorrow’s Olympian, engineer, doctor, or entrepreneur. Kenny Harrison trained here before winning Olympic gold. Joe Thomas before becoming Pro Football Hall of Famer. Kathleen Hogan before becoming Chief HR Officer at Microsoft. Strong schools create leaders. They also choose to stay in communities that invested in them.
Your neighbors already support this: In a recent survey of Elmbrook residents, two thirds of residents supported a $100 million dollar referendum. In fact, residents showed higher support for a higher dollar amount. Only 62.1% of residents supported a referendum at $85 million.
Here's the timing: We're at the lowest mill rate in district history. The 2008 referendum debt retires in 2028. This referendum replaces the previous debt so the felt impact on our taxes is nominal. The district is also earmarking up to $90 million in operating funds for the maintenance and other improvement needs across district facilities over the next 15 years.
This isn't about tax increases: It's about protecting one of our greatest assets. It's about showing what pride in community looks like.
Our schools made today's leaders. Now they need to make tomorrow’s.
Elmbrook in a Nutshell
Nearly 7,900 students across 10 schools.
Enrollment is steady
Aaa district bond rating
Two out of three Elmbrook Residents support a referendum
The problem we are facing
Despite the intrinsic value of our schools, four of our oldest school buildings are aging rapidly.
Hallways designed for 500 kids can't support 900. Teachers can't split focus across spaces that were built for half the population. Roofs and mechanical systems don't last forever.
The elective and music classrooms at Wisconsin Hills aren’t Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)accessible. Almost every restroom is missing an accessible toilet stall or lacks the required clearance for wheelchair users.
At Tonawanda, open-concept classrooms without doors make it difficult to secure a room during a lockdown or support a student in distress. Storage shortages push kids' gear into hallways, creating hazards for students with mobility needs. Teachers have no quiet prep space — some teachers have to hold breakout sessions in the server room for lack of space. When Tonawanda was originally built, it served around 300 students, now it serves twice that.
At Pilgrim Park, a student in a wheelchair has to cross an active gym class just to reach the only elevator in the building. One math classroom is sinking into the marsh beneath it.
The Elmbrook School District has a plan to address our aging infrastructure. This isn't about salaries or day-to-day operations. Every dollar funds building renovations only. The district is committing $90 million of its own reserves and a 10-year maintenance plan. Total investment: $190 million. That's a community betting on itself.
Two-thirds of our community supports it. Join the parents and neighbors who are already convinced.