Resident urges board to seek $3 million operations referendum after tax increase

David Amicks urged the East Troy School District Board of Education to pursue a more modest operations referendum, telling the board a $3,000,000, two‑year request would be more acceptable to the community than the larger proposal that recently failed. He said the recent $325 per‑student tax levy increase translated to roughly a 24% jump in his property taxes, and argued that the district should align referendum timing with the state budget cycle.

"I would suggest that you go forward with a ... $3,000,000 2 year extension to the previous," Amicks said, adding that the district’s own budget figures suggested a smaller gap — about a $500,000 shortfall — that could be covered without the larger ask. He challenged the board to publish clearer line‑item savings and details on special‑education funding so taxpayers can see what the referendum would fund.

Board members acknowledged the concern and allowed Amicks a slightly extended public‑comment time after noting the previous candidate’s longer remarks. Administrators said they would work with the speaker and staff to assemble additional financial numbers called for by the commenter.