Door County, Wisonsin’s Sevastopol School Referendum

Why does Sevastopol need the extra dollars?

In the early 1990s school district revenues were frozen by the state to no more than approximately a two percent increase per year. In order to spend above the two percent limit, school districts must hold a referendum vote by the district citizens. The last five years, expenses, including gas for buses, supplies, heating, health insurance, and state and federally mandated programs have all increased by more than four percent per year. In order to balance annual budgets, school boards have had to cut staff positions and delay needed building and technology maintenance in order to save student programming.

Why not consolidate with Sturgeon Bay or Gibraltar?

A consolidation requires a yes vote by both districts’ citizens. Four years ago, Gibraltar chose not to pursue consolidation talks because a combined Sevastopol/Gibraltar district would raise Gibraltar property taxes.

Early this year, after an extensive study, the Sevastopol school board unanimously decided to end consolidation talks with Sturgeon Bay. An independent accounting firm reported that a consolidated district would nearly double the property tax of Sevastopol citizens within two years. Whereas, a cost override referendum would only raise taxes for Sevastopol residents by $40 per $100,000 of property value.

How much money do we need?

The board is asking for an additional $600,000 each year for the next three years.

How much will it cost me?

A YES vote will cost taxpayers approximately $40 each of three years on a $100,000 home. This is less than a tank of gas and only .19 per day.

How will the money be used?

The money will be used to replace all building heating boilers, purchase buses, bring technology, wiring and networks up to today’s standards and support existing programs.

Have other schools gone to referendums?

All area schools have passed referendums in the last few years. Sevastopol has not asked for a referendum.

What happens if the referendum does not pass?

All areas of school programs will be affected. Bus routes will be decreased, increasing student time on buses. Co-curricular programs, including athletics and music, will be decreased. Elementary class sizes will increase. The variety of classes offered at the high school will decrease. Our technology will be stagnated at 1990s standards. We will have to hope for the best with an outdated, inefficient heating system.