Frequently asked questions.
Who is the Kettle Moraine (KM) Alliance?
The Kettle Moraine Alliance is a group of highly involved parents and community members who support and celebrate students, educators and all public schools (including all KM charter schools) in the Kettle Moraine School District.
While those within the KM Alliance have different backgrounds and political views, we share common values and goals for our School District. We support a parent engagement model that recognizes the important roles and responsibilities of ALL students, educators, and parents in our education system, not just the ‘rights’ of some parents with a partisan goal to shape the agenda for the rest of the community. We also want to maintain the School Board’s policy governance model that has paved the way for so many innovative opportunities for learning within our district.
What does KM Alliance do?
KM Alliance advocates for the ongoing and continued excellence of the Kettle Moraine School District. Our goals are to educate the community with factual information regarding public schools, support students, educators and school board candidates who share our sensible values, and look to further build on KM's cutting-edge educational opportunities.
When is the next School Board Election?
TBD. Will be updated closer to the next school board election.
Who can vote IN THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION?
Anyone 18+ years old that resides in the Kettle Moraine School District and is registered to vote, can vote for the School Board Candidates. College Students with permanent residency in the Kettle Moraine School District can also vote. Typically school board elections have low turn outs. We need everyone to know whats at stake with this election - so please get the facts on the candidates, tell family, friends and neighbors - and show up to cast a vote.
How many school board candidates can I vote for?
TBD. This will be updated one we have details on the next School Board Election.
I don’t have kids in school, can I still vote?
Yes! Your vote helps to shape the greater community in which you live. Please vote for this important race. High performing school districts (like KM is now) help keep property values high. KMSD has proven over and over again that its educators, curriculum, and schools deliver exceptional students. Please vote for and elect candidates for School Board that believe in supporting: all students, current school district policies, our high quality educators and public schools.
I don’t live in the district. My child is open enrolled. Can I vote?
You cannot vote in the KM district election. However, you can advocate for your student and the district by sharing information about candidates Jay Crouse and JJ Andrews Ed.D and the importance of maintaining a non-partisan school board. While you cannot vote for KM board candidates, you should absolutely vote in your home district.
What does the School Board do?
The school board is responsible for establishing goals, setting policy, and overseeing resources for the school district. The Board also hires, supervises, and evaluates the superintendent. In Wisconsin, school board races are supposed to be non-partisan, and locally elected school board members work together to insure a well-run district for the good of all community members.
What does the Superintendent do?
The Superintendent translates policies into action and supervises staff. Superintendent is hired by and answers to the School Board.
Are School Board seats partisan?
No. Similar to electing judges to office or village/town board members, school board elections are intended to be non-partisan.
Are there primary elections for school board candidates?
If more than two people register to run for each open seat, there will be a primary on February 21st, 2023.
Is it true that enrollment in Kettle Moraine Schools has been declining in recent years?
Yes, enrollment in KM Schools has been declining due to lack of new housing, the growing number of empty nesters, and increasing cost of housing.
KMSD enrollment declined by about 800 students between the 2010-11 and 2021-22 school years. However, during that same time period, the number of school aged children living in the school district declined by an estimated 1,400 children.
The KM School District has kept its enrollment strong by developing excellent schools with unique educational programs, attracting open enrollees. For example, 41.3 percent of the students in the Kettle Moraine High School for Arts and Performance are open enrolled in the 2022-23 school year.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Is the Kettle Moraine School District struggling financially?
The Kettle Moraine School District has been affected by changes in total school aid appropriations by the State of Wisconsin, as well as school aid formulas that reduce aid as property values increase. The District saw its school aid decrease from a high of $16.3 million for the 2005-06 school year, or almost 38 percent of its funding, to only $4.9 million, or less than 12 percent of its funding, for the 2018-19 school year.
Since the 2018-19 school year, the District’s school aid increased by over $5.2 million, to $10.2 million for the 2022-23 school year. The total amount of taxes levied by the District for the 2022-23 school year were 0.92% lower than the amount levied for the 2021-22 school year and the tax rate was 13.31% lower. The 2022-23 tax rate was also 20.35% lower than the amount that was approved by voters in the April 2020 referendum.
ARE RETURNS OR EXCHANGES ALLOWED FOR PRODUCTS WITHIN THE KMA SHOP?
No, for two reasons. First, all items purchased from the KMA Shop, are considered donations to Kettle Moraine Alliance, and we send you the item that you submitted a donation for. Second, these are all print on demand items. So they are printed for you and shipped directly to you upon your donation submission. The inventory is made to order.