The Hamilton School District Proposes Two Referendums
Photo from Hamilton School District.
Sage Osesek
The Hamilton School District proposed two referendums for its growing community. As the district grows, it is forced to request financial assistance from the community to sustain and meet its needs. On April 2, the community has the opportunity to vote for or against district improvement and sustainability projects. To fully represent the Hamilton School District community, it's imperative that all eligible to vote cast their ballot. These decisions will impact every citizen; make your voice heard!
Why are referendums being proposed?
In 1969, there were 296 students per grade at Templeton. Today, there are 375 students per grade. In the 1960s, Hamilton’s population was about 740 students. Today, there are 1,574 students. The district has 15% more students than it did 15 years ago. These rapidly increasing numbers exemplify the challenges the district faces as our community grows. The cafeterias are noticeably smaller than the growing student population requires, and Lannon Elementary School itself is too small for the student capacity. The referendums are not only the result of student population concerns: For effective education, the district must maintain the ability to provide satisfactory staff. Therefore, to offer effective, safe, and quality education to its students, the district must spend money for operational and/or infrastructural maintenance and improvement.
However, inadequate state funding that has not kept up with inflation has led Hamilton to seek the community’s help for funding. As the FAC status report states:
“Hamilton received a relatively minimal amount from these funds compared to others, exacerbating our financial challenges. This, coupled with increased inflation and a two-year funding freeze, has placed significant strain on the district’s finances. The 2023-2025 state budget offers some relief with a $325 per pupil revenue limit increase, but to keep pace with inflation, Hamilton would require a $600 increase per pupil.”
This funding issue has created sustainability/capacity problems that will exacerbate due to our growing community. In the school year 2024-2025, the district will face a $3.9 million budget deficit without the help of the taxpayers. And as the community’s growth is projected to increase, so will the deficit. Because subdivision numbers in the district are increasing, district enrollment is predicted to see similar growth. The FAC Status Report states: [In the next four years], “Enrollment in the Hamilton School District is projected to increase from 5,106 students to 5,293.” The district will not see relief in the foreseeable future pertaining to student enrollment, which is great for the community, but damaging to the district’s dwindling budget. As a result, the Hamilton School District turns to the community for help. It has proposed referendums to help the district maintain its effectiveness.
The 2022 Community Facility Advisory Team (CFAC) reviewed these issues/anticipated issues and developed possible solutions. Some potential options that were initially considered were a new elementary school, renovating spaces at Templeton and Hamilton, renovating the high school athletic fields, among other options. However, based on the 2022 community survey, the CFAC narrowed the referendum options that were most reflective of the community’s opinions. The district then sent out a 2023 community survey with the two current referendum questions and reviewed the results. 53.5% of the surveyees supported the $7.6 million referendum, and 50.5% of the surveyees supported the facilities referendum. There was not enough support for costlier ($29.6 million or above) referendums, so they decided that the following proposed referendums most represented the community’s thoughts.
What are the proposed referendums?
There are two referendum questions. The first is a $7.6 million recurring operational referendum. It would include the following maintenance expenses:
Heating schools
Maintaining academic programs
Class sizes
Course offerings
Staffing levels
Updating aged systems (HVAC, fire alarms, roofs, and installing air conditioning at Willow Springs).
This referendum protects the safety of the students and quality of education by maintaining the district’s infrastructure, staffing, and educational opportunities. It would begin the 2024-2025 school year, ultimately directing the income from tax payers toward the district’s operational costs.
The next referendum question is a $25 million facilities referendum, aimed to develop the district’s infrastructure. This includes the following:
Building a Hamilton High School cafeteria expansion to satisfy the growing enrollment
Renovating the Applied Engineering and Technology, science, and art classrooms at Hamilton
Renovating/expanding the Templeton Middle School cafeteria to satisfy the growing enrollment
Building an addition to Lannon Elementary School
Reconfiguring drop-off areas at Marcy, Maple Avenue, and Lannon Elementary School. This new traffic project is designed to improve safety and efficiency.
The facilities referendum attacks both the growing enrollment issue and strives to maintain the district’s safety and educational goals.
When and where can I vote?
On April 2, 2024 registered voters can vote at their polling place. Registered voters can also vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot or they can visit an absentee voting site for early in-person voting.
Where can I learn more?
Visit Hamilton Grows for more information. The FAC Status Report also provides thorough information about the referendum and the district’s rationale.
Public informational meetings will be held on the following days for further information:
Thursday, February 22: Lannon Elementary School Gym at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 7: Sussex Civic Center Community Room from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19: Hamilton High School Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.
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