Silver Lake school referendum; public weighs options for $7M proposal | FOX6 Milwaukee

Silver Lake school referendum; public weighs options for $7M proposal

In less than two months, voters in Silver Lake will decide whether they want to increase taxes to help fix Riverview Elementary School.

School referendum in Silver Lake

What we know:

At Riverview Elementary, parents say safety is top of mind. Soon, community members will decide whether they want to help pay for repairs to the school.

A referendum question on the April ballot will ask voters if they support increasing their taxes for the Silver Lake School District. If approved, the added cost for a $300,000 home would be roughly $165 a year. 

Riverview Elementary School concept

Referendum backed by parents

What they're saying:

"Maintenance efforts that have been made to ensure that we are only asking for what is needed," said Kim Taylor, District Administrator Silver Lake Salem Joint School District. "Seven million dollars to be paid off over 20 years."

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"The HVAC system is failing, and some classrooms are warmer than others. And some classrooms, kids are having to wear their coats to class on really cold days," said Luke Hamilton, a Riverview parent. 

School district officials say part of the money, if approved, would go to fixing the HVAC system as well as a crisis alert program to ensure the safety of staff and students. 

There are skeptics

What they're saying:

While many in Silver Lake support the referendum, there are those who are opposed. 

Riverview Elementary School, Silver Lake

"There’s some skepticism – people say well sure they are just asking for this now – but what happens five years from now," said Mike Paulson, whose kids graduated from Riverview.

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One woman who did not want to speak to FOX6 News on camera said she does not think it is the community's responsibility to pitch in. 

Riverview Elementary School, Silver Lake

Ultimately, the outcome will be decided by voters in April. In 2023, a Silver Lake school referendum question failed by 15 votes. 

Learn more about proposed improvements

Dig deeper:

The public can learn much more about the proposed improvements at Riverview Elementary, its costs and the impact on the community.

The Source: The information coin this was produced by FOX6 News.

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