Billion-Dollar Schools Referendum Passed By 4 Votes After Recount

RACINE COUNTY, WI — After a week-long recount that left voters wondering whether the Racine Unified School District's 30-year, billion-dollar referendum would hold up on a five-vote margin, district officials said they're relieved after officials confirmed the referendum's passage by a total of four votes.

The official results indicated that Unified's referendum passed with 16,715 votes in favor, and 16,711 votes against. Voters took to the polls in Racine County amid the coronavirus public health emergency, as poll workers and voters alike risked exposure to the virus.

"We are pleased that the recount confirmed election day results. I want to sincerely thank our community for your support. We are ready to get to work and put our long-range facilities plan into action," District Superintendent Eric Gallien said in a statement. "This plan will transform Racine Unified and impact every school and every student for years to come. Our teachers will finally be able to teach in 21st century learning environments with the tools necessary to support student success."

District officials say the referendum will keep the tax rate flat, but voters might wonder how that would be possible. The answer comes down to this: adding new expenses just as old expenses go away, as the new referendum would replace a number of old and expiring tax levies.

According to language in the referendum, the school district is asking to exceed the state-imposed revenue limit by the following dollar values in each of the following years:

• $18 million from 2020-21 school year through 2024-25 school year.
• $22.5 million from 2025-26 school year through 2028-29 school year.
• 42.5 million from 2029-30 school year through 2049-50 school year.

When you add up the cumulative amount the district will be asking voters to approve, the total amount over the life of the referendum - 30 years - adds up to just over $1 billion.

According to a Journal Times report, here is how the school district says it would "recapture" expiring tax levies in order to achieve a flat tax rate beginning in the 2020-21 school year:

• $2-7 annual million Aquatic Center Construction Levy expires in 2021.
• $6.5 annual million Energy Efficiency Levy expires in 2026.
• $8.5 annual referendum passed in 2014 expires in 2030.

Massive Plan Would Modernize Aging District Buildings

The District developed a $710 million facilities overhaul that would address needs at every building in the district over the next 30 years. The referendum asks voters for $598 million over a period of 30 years.

In their master plan, district officials have addressed needs at every school. Some needs are more urgent, and need to be addressed right away. Others are more strategic, with expected project dates ranging out to between 10 and 20 years from now.

Related Reading
Inside RUSD's $598 Million Proposed Referendum: Top Projects

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The master plan looked at each school, and rated each building on it's condition and ability to meet the needs of its population. Some buildings, like Horlick High School, which was completed in 1928, has several glaring needs. Case, which was completed in 1966, has several big-ticket items planned which will propel it through the early 21st century.

District officials want to close Giese, Red Apple, Schulte, Roosevelt, Janes, Jefferson Lighthouse, North Park, West Ridge and Dr. Jones Elementary School as the district's population changes over time. In their place, Unified wants to build two new middle schools, and replacements for Schulte, Roosevelt, Janes and Red Apple.