Arrowhead $7.6 million operational referendum passed, $261.2 million capital referendum failed

Arrowhead voters split on two referendums Nov. 5, approving an operational referendum, but rejecting a capital referendum that would have built a new school. It was the only local referendum that failed, of 17 referendums across 13 suburban Milwaukee school districts.

Results:

What and how much: The first question, which passed, asked for $7.6 million in operational expenses split over four years, $1.9 million per year. The second question, which failed, asked for $261.2 million to build a new high school.

Tax impact: School taxes would have increased by $1.93 per $1,000 of property value if both questions had passed. The district's 2023-24 tax rate was $1.81 per $1,000 of property value. But since voters approved only the first question, school taxes will increase by just 2 cents per $1,000, to a total of $1.83 per $1,000.

Scope of the two referendum questions: The operational referendum funds educational, operational and maintenance expenses. The facilities referendum would have built one new high school building that would have replaced Arrowhead High School's current two campus building setup.

Why it's needed: The district said the operational referendum is needed due to state funding not keeping up with inflation. At the same time, the district said cost increases such as those for utilities, transportation and others have not stopped. The district said the facilities referendum was needed because of safety concerns about students and staff traveling between its two buildings and inefficiencies caused by duplicate staffing and unused space.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or . Follow him on X (Twitter) at .