How Would RUSD Referendum Keep Tax Rate Flat?

RACINE, WI — Voters heading to the polls in the greater Racine area will see the Racine Unified School District's $598 million referendum on their April 7 ballot.

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.

The Question Voters Will See

Here is the following question that will be on the April 7 ballot in the Racine area:

“BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Racine Unified School District, Racine County, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $18,000,000 per year for the 2020-2021 school year through the 2024-2025 school year, by $22,500,000 per year for the 2025-2026 school year through the 2028-2029 school year, and by $42,500,000 per year for the 2029-2030 school year through the 2049-2050 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of building modernization, land acquisition, enhancements for student career pathway programs, safety improvements, furnishings and equipment, technology, and debt service for new building and other capital improvement projects.”