Whitefish Bay voters reject state's second most expensive school referendum

WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Seventy-five school districts went to referenda on Tuesday's ballot and a quarter of those referenda failed, including one in Whitefish Bay.

On April 7, residents voted against the $135.6 million referendum – the second most expensive referenda in the state of Wisconsin.

“It shocks me that it failed to be honest,” said Mateusz Troicki, a Whitefish Bay resident. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking for updates, especially necessary updates to the buildings and to the infrastructure."

The referendum would have built a new middle school and renovated elementary schools and the high school.

“My big beef was with the middle school. Tearing down this one building across the street, I don’t think that was necessary,” said Troicki.

It failed by just 302 votes.

“It was a big burden on people’s taxes,” said Mike Zussman, a Whitefish Bay. “I was excited for potential update, but I think the way that it went about, the way the district went about it wasn't the best. I think it was just too much at once.”

The referendum would have also increased taxes significantly. The average home in Whitefish Bay is $685,000. Taxes on that home would have increased by nearly $1,800.

“I mean I think this would pass with flying colors, no problem whatsoever if people didn’t get so scared by that tax burden,” said Zussman.

In a statement posted on the Whitefish Bay School District’s website, district leaders wrote “our buildings still have a very high level of need. Our team will revisit the options put forward.”

Voters say they’re happy to invest in education – but not all at once.

“It’s a great community so I’m excited to invest in it for sure,” said Troicki.