Whitefish Bay School District
Election Day: November 3, 2026
Facilities Referendum
Building Futures
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, residents of the Whitefish Bay School District will vote on a general obligation bond issue not to exceed $90 million.
Built on a foundation of educational excellence, our schools inspire students to reach their full academic potential. The referendum proposes targeted improvements across district campuses, including:
-
Rebuilding and Renovating the Middle School on the Current Site ($68.4 million): Rebuilding and renovating the current facility with an updated learning environment on the current Middle School site. If approved, Middle School updates are expected to begin in Spring 2028, with a timeline of 3+ years.
-
Infrastructure, Maintenance, Fire Protection and Alarm System Updates at the High School ($35.5 million): Critical updates at the High School include replacing failing HVAC systems and upgrading fire sprinkler and alarm systems.
-
Fire Protection and Alarm System Updates at Cumberland and Richards ($4 million): Installation and updates of fire sprinkler and alarm systems at the elementary schools.
In addition to voter-approved bonds, the district would also pay for a portion of the proposed projects with $17.9 million from its reserves, primarily from the district’s Long-Term Capital Improvement Trust Fund. (Note: Using reserves lowers the required total bond amount).
An approved referendum would result in an estimated net tax impact of $125 per $100,000 of fair market value for a home within the district. This would amount to an increase of about $71 per month (or $857 per year) on a home worth $685,800, which is the average value in Whitefish Bay.
How Did We Get Here?
Since June 2023, the School Board and administration at the Whitefish Bay School District have engaged in a long-range facility planning process that included comprehensive assessments of all buildings and grounds, forming an advisory committee, community engagement, and exploring multiple project options.
The district conducted a community-wide survey in November 2025 as part of the facility planning process. The advisory committee—which includes community members, parents, and district staff—was tasked with studying facility conditions, enrollment trends, and modern learning standards. The committee ultimately recommended a bond referendum to address our facility challenges.
Following the survey and the committee’s guidance, the board approved the placement of a $135.6 million bond question on the April 2026 ballot.
The initial referendum focused on two primary issues: District-wide renovations and the construction of a new middle school. Approximately $67.9 million was allocated for renovations at Cumberland, Richards, Whitefish Bay High School, and Lydell to improve accessibility, safety, and security at entrances, as well as to replace aging mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. The remaining $67.7 million was dedicated to building a new middle school.
The referendum fell approximately 300 votes short of the 50% majority required to pass.
After this outcome, the board and administration returned to planning, hosted community focus groups, and conducted a second survey to gather feedback and input on the April vote and possible project alternatives.
You Spoke. We Listened.
"The option presented today is the best compromise for passing a referendum that will result in completion of two hugely needed facility projects."
Kristin Bencik-Boudreau
Board of Education President
August 19, 2026
The November facilities referendum proposal reflects the valuable input we received from our community. More than 2,100 people took part in a summer survey that asked for feedback on the April referendum and potential projects for a November referendum.
Among the survey’s findings:
-
When asked why they believed the April referendum was not approved, 86.8% of respondents cited the proposal's total cost and tax impact being too high, which was the highest response out of a series of options.
-
The second-highest reason from respondents was the proposed location of a new middle school at Armory Park, with 40.8% citing this as a reason the referendum was not approved.
-
Based on a weighted calculation of respondents, there was 57.5% support for a project of $90 million and 44.7% support for a $95 million project.
On August 19, the School Board unanimously approved placing the $90 million referendum question on the November 3 ballot.
Board of Education President Kristin Bencik-Boudreau speaking at the August 19 meeting.
Why We Cannot Wait
The Whitefish Bay School District is at an important planning juncture as we prepare for the future of our facilities and infrastructure. While the remaining debt from the 2009 facilities referendum was paid off in June 2026, providing modest long-term financial flexibility, the urgency for continued investment is driven by the physical condition and reliability of our buildings.
Many core systems—including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical—have reached the end of their expected service life, and at more than a century old, the middle school requires significant investment to meet current accessibility, educational, and safety standards.
By addressing these needs now, the district can take a proactive, coordinated approach to construction rather than reacting to costly emergency repairs that disrupt learning. The proposed bond projects will ensure Whitefish Bay Schools continue to reflect the community’s high expectations and mission to be an exceptional place to learn.
Information Sessions
Community members are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session to see the facility challenges our students and staff face and learn more about the November referendum.
Each event will feature a presentation, tour, and question-and-answer session. Recordings of the sessions will be published online for later viewing.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
6:00 p.m. | WFB Middle School Gym
→ Watch the session recording
Monday, September 28, 2026
6:00 p.m. | WFB High School Link
Thursday, October 15, 2026
6:00 p.m. | WFB Middle School Gym
Monday, November 2, 2026
6:00 p.m. | WFB Middle School Gym
We Want to Hear From You
We value your voice and welcome your input! Please use the form below to share any questions, thoughts, or feedback you may have about the proposed facility plans or the upcoming bond vote.
District leadership will review your comments, which may help shape future communications, clarify community questions, and ensure we address the issues that matter most to you. This form is more than a suggestion box—it’s a vital part of our commitment to transparency, two-way communication, and serving our community well.
We look forward to hearing from you!
