When Sturtevant residents head to the polls April 7, they will have the opportunity to tell trustees if they want the board to explore a school district separate from Racine Unified.
Trustees on Jan. 22 approved both the resolution that places the question on the ballot as well as the language of the question itself.
Board member Chris Wright Thursday posted both on his Facebook page.
Here is the resolution and the question voters will answer, including a brief explanation of what a “yes” and a “no” vote mean:
RESOLUTION 2015-09
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ADVISORY REFERENDUM FOR THE VILLAGE OF STURTEVANT TO EXPLORE RESIDENT INTEREST IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CREATION OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, a number of residents have expressed an interest in exploring the creation of a new school district to serve the Village of Sturtevant, and possibly to serve other nearby communities as well, and such residents have requested that the Village assist in exploring the idea; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees would like all Village residents to have the opportunity to make their respective opinions on the subject known before any public resources are expended to further explore the possible benefits and costs of such an idea.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees for the Village of Sturtevant, Racine County, Wisconsin, hereby directs that a special advisory referendum be conducted of the electors of the Village of Sturtevant during the April 7, 2015 spring election; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following question be placed on the ballot as the advisory referendum:
“Referendum Question
“Should Sturtevant pursue a separate school district independent of Racine Unified School District , whose boundaries include the entire Village of Sturtevant?”
Explanatory Statement and Effect of Vote
The outcome of the vote is strictly advisory. Neither a majority “yes” vote nor a majority “no” vote would be binding on the Village Board either way. Additionally, the question asks only whether the Village should further investigate the possibility of creating a new school district. You are not being asked, at this point in time, whether you support the Village actually creating a new school district.
That being said, a “yes” vote indicates that you think the Village Board should explore the feasibility of creating a new school district to serve Village residents.
A “no” vote indicates that you do not think the Village Board should take any steps to explore the feasibility of creating a new school district to serve Village residents.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Clerk shall provide the Racine County Clerk with a certified copy of this Resolution, no later than January 27, 2015, and shall arrange for the publication of the requisite notices, so as to ensure that the referendum question can be placed on the April 7, 2015 spring election ballot for all wards within the Village of Sturtevant.
Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Sturtevant, Racine County, Wisconsin, this 22nd day of January, 2015.
VILLAGE OF STURTEVANT
By: ____________________________ Steven Jansen, President
Attest: _____________________________ Mary Cole, Village Clerk