Registered voters residing within the Twin Lakes Community Schools district will have the opportunity to invest in our schools, students and our community by voting on an operating referendum on November 5th.

On July 16, 2024, the School Board approved a resolution (Link) that formally approved the district’s Revenue Spending Plan (Link) and initiated the process required to place the operating referendum on the November ballot.

If the referendum is supported by residents, the dollars generated by the referendum will be used to retain and attract high quality teachers and staff, so that we can maintain our quality academic, arts, athletics, and counseling programs. The money from the referendum will also be used to fund academic and educationally related programs and student safety and school security measures.

The proposed referendum will increase the school levy portion of your property taxes to $0.25 per $100 of assessed value (not market value) and will result in a tax rate increase on the School Property Tax Levy portion of your property tax bill. 

To know the tax impact of the referendum on your property taxes, please use the tax impact calculator (Link) that was developed by a third party financial advising company.

Please visit the FAQ page (Link) and Introduction to School Finance (Link) to find answers to commonly asked questions about the upcoming referendum and information about school finance.

The duration of the referendum, if approved, will be eight years. This period represents the maximum time allowable. We pledge to keep the community regularly updated on levy rates through our monthly newsletter and at school board meetings. Your vote is crucial in this decision-making process.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter, view the board meeting schedule, or our FAQ pages below!

Here are some important facts about the positive impact the referendum will have on our schools and community:

Positive Impact on Our Students and Teachers

• Retain our outstanding teachers and staff for important student programs. 

• Attract high quality staff and teachers - Teachers and staff will be less likely to move to other school districts for better pay and benefits.

• Enhance school safety and behavior programs.

• Maintain the number of instructional coaches and tutors at our schools.

• Maintain manageable class sizes. 

Positive Impact on our Community

• Property values remain at optimal levels by supporting schools that provide a quality education.

• TLSC will continue to be a vital economic and community development asset.

• Quality schools attract quality people to our growing community.

• Community pride is a by-product of quality schools and student programs.

Negative Impact on Our Students and Teachers

• Teacher and staff layoffs will have a negative impact on families and our local economy.

• After-school and extracurricular programs will be cut.

• Veteran teachers and staff will leave to work in other school districts or leave education altogether.

• TLSC will not be able to compete for high quality staff and new teachers.

Negative Impact on Our Community

• Property values will become stagnant or reduced.

• The quality of education for all Twin Lakes students will be negatively impacted.

• Young families will consider moving to school districts that are actively investing in their educational resources and course offerings