Referendum Ballot Questions

The Big Foot Community approved the two referendum questions on the November 6 ballot.

Question 1) "Shall the Big Foot Union High School District, Walworth County, WI be authorized to issues pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statues, general obligation bonds in the an amount not to exceed $7,800,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of construction and equipping on an outdoor athletic facility on district owned land?" Why: Athletic fields & surfaces no longer best serve our students and community needs. If no action is taken, possible consequences could occur, including: Big Foot may be forced to rely on other school systems or municipalities to provide amenities. The reduction or elimination of some sport activities Reduced enrollment due to school choice Other unforeseen consequences

Question 2) "Shall the Big Foot Union High School District, Walworth County, WI be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $350,000 per year beginning with the 2019-2020 school year and ending with the 2021-2022 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses of employing a school resource officer, technology improvements, capital maintenance improvements, including roof repair, and site and parking lot improvements." Why: Pay for a School Resource Officer, improve technology throughout the school, and pay for maintenance of the improved athletic facility. Big Foot gets minimal state aid due to high property values and modest enrollment numbers. Big Foot's annual operational levy limit is tied to student enrollment and cannot increase without going to referendum. State policies limit operational resources. Big Foot has been forced to dip into fund balance 8 of the last 10 years. If no action is taken, it is projected that the school will have a negative fund balance in 2020. * Note * Due to uncertainties at the state level, we have been advised not request for operational support beyond three years.

Tax Implications

The goal is to have a $0 change in taxes with the approved referendums. Debt retiring from the 2014 Referendum would be replaced by the Outdoor Athletic Facility Referendum AND the Operating Referendum.

To better understand school finances, levy limits and referendums, Robert W. Baird & Co. has prepared a educational slide show. * Note, some numbers have changed since the slide show.

2018 Referendum History

March 19, 2019 - Demolition has started!

Jan. 21, 2019 - Doug Parker shared the latest project rendering. Among the notable changes include: sliding the parking lot further to the west to create more seperation with the neighbors; triple jump, shotput, discus in a safer&more efficient location; and tennis court relocation. * Note: There will most likely be further small changes before breaking ground.

Jan. 16, 2019 - The Hellas project team came to Big Foot and met with the school's project team. It was a full day meeting going over all aspects of the project. At that time stakeholders from each of the sports, IT & food service were invited for input. During the day, the project team went over the initial drawings of the structures to be built and discussed cost saving measures. Later in the evening, a special school board meeting was held so the school board & public could meet the Hellas engineers and ask questions.

January, 2019 - Announcement: Sigma Group from Milwaukee was selected as the local engineering firm.

November 6, 2018 - The Big Foot Community voted to approve the two ballot questions on November 6.

Aug. 20, 2018 - School Board Meeting: The board voted to approve the two ballot questions:

Ballot Question 1: "Shall the Big Foot Union High School District, Walworth County, WI be authorized to issues pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statues, general obligation bonds in the an amount not to exceed $7,800,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of construction and equipping on an outdoor athletic facility on district owned land?"

Ballot Question 2: "Shall the Big Foot Union High School District, Walworth County, WI be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $350,000 per year beginning with the 2019-2020 school year and ending with the 2021-2022 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses of employing a school resource officer, technology improvements, capital maintenance improvements, including roof repair, and site and parking lot improvements."

Jan. 15, 2018 - School Board Meeting: The full board expressed support for Concept 3 (v2) for an estimated $8.25M to be paid through a general obligation bond to be paid over 15 years. Also, the board recognized the need for a $350K/year for three years supplemental operational referendum to cover costs associated with operating the school.

School leadership will start presenting the need and project concept at village board meetings, civic and other groups over the next coming months. Also, school leadership will begin a fundraising campaign.

Dec. 18, 2017 - School Board Meeting: The board gave Administrator Doug Parker a directive to explore options relating to the outdoor athletic project and operational funding not to exceed $9,000,000. The Board also suggested that the referendum vote should occur on November 6, 2018. Note: No formal action occurred, only guidance.

More information will be made available as the school leadership continue to explore the project.

Please check all related pages for more details including Frequently Asked Questions.