WHY VOTE YES?

If this referendum passes, the Wauwatosa School District could:

Attract and retain the best teachers to support student success — Numerous studies have found that quality teaching is the biggest factor driving academic achievement. Until recently, Wauwatosa was one of the worst-paying school districts in the region, which affected teacher turnover. Even after Tosa gave teachers a long-overdue raise last year, Tosa’s teacher pay still lags behind many school districts in the Milwaukee metro area. We must continue to invest in competitive wages and benefits for the people who care for and educate our kids every day.

Continue proven student supports — Addressing critical needs, the district recently invested more in professionals to support students’ mental/behavioral health and provide direct academic intervention. This has already paid off through increased academic achievement and reduced behavior problems. Decreasing these supports could come at a cost to our students.

Update curricular materials — After years of belt-tightening because of the state’s underfunding, the school district had to delay regular curricula updates. Areas like science change quickly — we need current, relevant curricula for today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.

Address deferred maintenance needs and accessibility — While the 2018 facilities referendum addressed some of our district’s building needs, it covered only $124.9 million of $350 million of identified needs. We need to fix the most critical issues at our oldest schools and ensure that all our buildings comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

When we invest in our schools, we all benefit:

Student learning — We all want our students to learn and thrive. A 2022 study found that Wisconsin school districts that passed an operating referendum experienced a significant decline in the dropout rate, a sharp increase in the percentage of students who score within proficient or advanced levels in math, and an increase in students enrolling in postsecondary education.

Strong home values — Research has shown that improvements in student test scores and increased spending on teacher salaries are both associated with higher home prices. The future vitality of our community is directly tied to our local schools.

Skilled workforce — A Tosa graduate could be your future doctor, electrician, or elected official. Whether today’s students go on to provide essential services that fuel our economy or discover the next scientific breakthrough, it’s clear: a skilled workforce starts with strong public schools.

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STRONG SCHOOLS = STRONG COMMUNITY

"We are so thankful for Wauwatosa public schools and the incredible staff who have educated and impacted our daughters so far. Both our girls have physical disabilities and wear prosthetic legs, so mobility can be a challenge for them. From their first days at Washington, the staff was willing to do whatever was necessary to make sure their needs were met. The girls felt seen and cared for at Washington and were totally accepted for who they were. Now at Longfellow, they are adjusting to a bigger building, more people in the hallways, and navigating a middle school schedule. It is obvious that their teachers truly care about them and are looking out for them. One of their teachers, Mrs. Nowicki, even came out to watch them play wheelchair basketball last season! We are so glad that the girls are able to learn, grow, and belong in this school district."

- Jennifer, Longfellow parent

"We love Tosa schools because of the unique combination of solid academics, racial and socioeconomic diversity, tight-knit community, and a commitment to serving all children, regardless of their abilities. Our daughters (ages 13 and 10) not only have experienced academic success but also have become more independent and been given opportunities to help others in Tosa schools. We are happy to support the district's commitment to continued operations without drastic changes to curriculum, neighborhood schools, and class sizes, as well as ADA compliance."

- Vanessa and Erik, McKinley and Whitman parents

"I love the sense of community our elementary school creates. It’s a neighborhood hub for learning, playing, and socializing."

- Kelly, Lincoln and Longfellow parent

"Our boys transitioned from private schools to Tosa public schools and have had a wonderful experience academically and socially. Our school community is definitely part of why we love Tosa."

- Jessica, Longfellow parent

“My three-year-old isn’t even in school yet, obviously, but we already enjoy the exceptional walkability of our school district —there are two different elementary schools, with two different playgrounds and facilities, within feasible walking distance of us. Even before our daughter formally enrolls, those playgrounds are where we encounter our neighbors and form relationships. I’m very happy to support the upcoming referenda — I recognize that we in Wauwatosa have been getting a substantial bargain on our excellent schools for decades now, and I’m more than willing to see my taxes rise in order to help continue that tradition of excellence.”

- Derek, future Jefferson parent

"My family moved to Wauwatosa for the schools, and I've never regretted that decision. Over the past 11 years, my kids have thrived thanks to Wauwatosa School District's well-rounded programming and phenomenal teachers. I sometimes get emotional thinking about the generations of kids who've walked these same streets to our neighborhood schools, and it's vital that we come together as a community to keep our public schools strong for future generations."

- Nikki, Longfellow and East parent

"My husband (a proud Tosa East '04 grad) and I moved to Wauwatosa because we believed in the public school system. We knew we wanted kids, and we knew we wanted to lay roots where our kids could have a great future set up by a good education. We are voting YES because we want our kids to be supported at school, we want small class sizes, we want our incredible teachers to feel supported and be paid what they deserve, we want the curriculum to be updated, and we want our kids to have opportunities in sports, music, and the arts."

- Vivian, Eisenhower parent

"I’m voting yes because high quality, public school education options are critical to any city’s ability to thrive and grow and Tosa is no exception. We should all be working to ensure that our kids get the very best education possible whether you’re a parent, resident or business owner, keeping our schools intact and funded benefits all of us!"

- Monica, Lincoln parent

"My family proudly returned to Wauwatosa as we began to grow our family. Wauwatosa is a dynamic community that offers a wonderful public education experience. We see the value in our schools and know that our incredible staff, and the historic nature of our buildings needs our support in a Yes vote. We are happy to vote yes for our Tosa kids!"

- Brad and Lisa, East parents

WHY VOTE YES?

If this referendum passes, the Wauwatosa School District could:

When we invest in our schools, we all benefit:

STRONG SCHOOLS = STRONG COMMUNITY

Testimonials