West of the I

The Salem School District issued the following news release after voters defeated its $2 million per year for the next three years operational referendum in Tuesday’s election:

Salem School District is providing an update following the operational referendum question that appeared on the ballot on Tuesday, April 1.

According to preliminary election results, the proposed referendum was not approved by voters. As a result, the district will not be able to raise its state-imposed revenue limit to meet rising operational needs.

“We are deeply grateful to our community members who participated in this important process,” said Superintendent Dr. Vicki King. “Although the outcome was not what we hoped for, the conversations we’ve had and the relationships we’ve built throughout this process have been truly meaningful and valuable.”

Like many school districts across Wisconsin, Salem is facing the ongoing challenges of rising costs, a state funding formula that has not kept pace with inflation, and insufficient increases in public school aid in recent years. Without the ability to increase its revenue limit, the district will now begin the difficult process of evaluating potential reductions in programs, services, and staffing for the upcoming school year.

“While this particular solution was not the right fit at this time, we remain committed to finding ways to support our students and staff,” said Dr. King. “We will continue to seek out additional revenue-building strategies and explore options to ensure the long-term success of our district.”

In the immediate future, and in an effort to minimize the impact on student learning, the Board has made the difficult decision to dip further into fund balance reserves, bringing them below the recommended 20% threshold. While this approach is not ideal or sustainable, it is a necessary step at this time to help maintain the stability of our school and support our students in the months ahead.

Salem School District will provide further updates to families, staff, and community members as next steps are determined.

“We sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote, engage in conversation, attend community events, and ask thoughtful questions,” said Dr. King. “We look forward to strengthening these connections through continued outreach and meaningful partnerships.”

At about 7:20 p.m., Bristol Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue and Newport Fire Protection District units are responding to the 7500 block of the southbound lanes of I-94 for an investigation.

Per dispatch: Caller reporting a strong smell of gas between Highway C and Highway 50.

UPDATE 7:31 p.m. — Bristol unit on the scene reports strong smell of natural gas in the 12300 block.

Heavy rain and maybe a thunderstorm are in Wednesday’s National Weather Service forecast for Western Kenosha County.

We could see as much as 1 to 2 inches of total rainfall Wednesday.

Rain is expected to continue through mid afternoon and could extend into the evening. A thunderstorm is most likely between about 7 and 11 a.m.

Wednesday will be windy too, with winds to 25 mph and gusts as high as 40 mph.

Wednesday’s high temp should reach 66.

UPDATE 9:07 a.m.

Voters in the Randall Consolidated School District had a contested election for school board on the spring election ballot.

Two seats will be filled.

At about 9:18 p.m. with 2 of 3 polls reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:

•  Mary Thornton 1010 (33.79%)
• Jeff Swanson 994 (33.26%)
• Melissa Grochowske 964 (32.25%

Voters in the Wilmot Union High School district had a capital referendum on the spring election ballot.

At 9:14 p.m. with 7 or 8 polls reporting what may be incomplete unofficial results:

• Yes 4175 (57.31%)
• No 3110 (42.69%

Voters in the Silver Lake-Salem Jt. 1 School District (Riverview School) had a capital referendum on the ballot.

At 9:10 p.m. with 2 polls out of 2 reporting what may be unofficial, incomplete results:

• Yes 1091 (66.52%)
• No 549 (33.48%)

Voters in the Salem School District had an operational referendum on the spring election ballot.

As of 9:06 p.m., with 2 polls of 3 reporting:

• No 1906 (53.34%)
• Yes 1667 (46.66%)

Voters in the Wilmot Union High School District had a contested race for school board on the spring election ballot.

At 9 p.m., with 7 polls of 8 reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:

• Amy Regnier 3624 (39.93%)
• Michael J. Faber 3012 (33.19%)
• Charles Anderson 2354 (25.94%)

Voters in Bristol School District #1 had a contested election for school board on the spring election ballot.

Two seats will be filled.

As of 8:53 p.m., 2 out of 5 polls are reporting what may be incomplete unofficial results:

• Tina M. Elfering 480 (34.43%)
• Victor Nightingale 355 (25.47%)
• Abigail Stanislawski 295 (21.16%)
• Paige J. Sefton 257 (18.44%)

Randall voters had a contested race for town supervisor #3 on the spring election ballot.

As of 8:97 p.m., with one poll of 1 reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:

• Nancy Kemp 574 (50.17%)
• David Soderman 562 (49.13%

Randall voters had a contested race for town chairman on the spring election ballot.

As of 8:47 p.m., with one poll of 1 reporting what may be incomplete, unofficial results:

• Mark Nordigian 669 (54.61%)
• Sue Hughes 548 (44.73%)

Twin Lakes voters had a contested race for village trustee on the spring election ballot.

Three at-large seats are to be filled.

At 8:41 p.m., with 1 poll of 1 reporting what may be unofficial, incomplete results :

• Aaron Karow 1148 (24.65%)
• Kevin Fitzgerald 1112 (23.88%)
• Jim Baxa 842 (18.08%)
• Bryan Neal 838 (17.99%)
• Tim Infusino 676 (14.52%

Voters in Salem Lakes had a contested election for village trustee on the spring election ballot.

The canddiates with the top three vote totlas will fill the setas.

As of 8:31 p.m., with 1 poll of 5 reporting:

• Bill L. Barhyte 670 (24.99%)
• Peter Poli 589 (21.97%)
• Angela Brooks 513 (19.13%)
• Doug Randolph 492 (18.35%)
• James Woodke 382 (14.25%)

Voters in Paddock Lake had a contested election for village trsutee on the spring election ballot.

The top three candidates in vote totals will fill the three available seats.

At about 8:27 p.m., with one poll reporting what maybe by incomplete, unofficials results:

• Renee Brickner 642 (29.42%)
• John Poole 582 (26.67%)
• Keelin Cannon 477 (21.86%)
• RJ Howard 463 (21.22%)

UPDATE — Above numbers are now complete, unofficial results.

Voters in the Westosha Central High School District has a contested race for the Brighton seat in the April 1 election.

At 8:15 p.m., early results of incomplete, unofficial results are:

• Jay Nutting 296 (58.5%)
• Neil Lakomiak 206 (40.71%)

UPDATE 8:20 p.m. — Latest incomplete, unofficial results are:

• Nutting 1020 (52.01%)
• Lakomiak 927 (47.27%)

UPDATE 8:22 p.m. — Latest incomplete, unofficial results are:

• Nutting 1420 (52.23%)
• Lakomiak  1274 (46.86%)

UPDATE 8:36 p.m. — With 7 polls of 17 reporting incomplete, unofficial results:

• Nutting 1888 (52.99%)
• Lakomiak 1644 (46.14%)

UPDATE 9:26 p.m. — With 16 of 17 polls reporting incomplete, unofficial results:

• Nutting 2998 (53.93%)
• Lakomiak 2510 (45.15%)

UPDATE 10:16 p.m. with 17 of 17 polls reporting complete, unofficial results:

•  Nutting 3436 (53.02%)
• Lakomiak 2988 (46.1%)

This post sponsored by Westosha Floral.

The following deaths of local residents and those with local connections are being reported by funeral homes today. Click on name to see obituary/service information:

The Westosha Central High School Performing Arts Booster Club is hosting its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, at Westosha Central High School.

The event includes the dinner, student performances, a silent auction and raffles.

Dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 plus)/student ticket (10 to 17 years) and $8 for children (3 to 10 years). 2 years and under are free. Tickets can be pre-ordered through April 1 here. Tickets also will be available at the door, at a higher rate.

All proceeds benefit the Performing Arts Booster Club, which supports choir, band and drama programs at Central High School.

This post sponsored by Westosha Floral.

The following deaths of local residents and those with local connections are being reported by funeral homes today. Click on name to see obituary/service information:

Spring Bling Fling, the annual Friends of Community Library jewelry fundraiser, is back for two upcoming April weekends at the Salem Lakes branch.

Jewelry donations for the sale have been generous again this year, and just about any style of earrings, bracelets, watches, pins, necklaces and more are waiting for observant shoppers.

A friends members-only early sale is on Thursday, April 3rd, from 3 until 7. New memberships in the Friends of Community Library may be purchased at that time. The regular hours of the sale are Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

A second weekend is also offered on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12.

All proceeds from the sale support youth services programs offered by Community Library.

The Salem Lakes library branch is located at the corner of 89th Street and Highway 83, south of Paddock Lake.

Wheatland Center School PTO is hosting its 35th Annual Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the school.

This year the group is raising money for early elementary playground improvements and new equipment.

Pre-sale ticket prices (ending April 6) are:

■ Adults (13-64): $8
■ Seniors (65-plus): $6
■ Kids 5-12: $6
■ Kids (0-4): Free

Pre-sale tickets can be purchased here.

At the door, ticket prices are: Adults $10, seniors and kids $8.

Besides a delicious spaghetti dinner, there are a lot of fun activities planned including a silent auction, raffles, inflatables, games, crafts, and more!

The WCS PTO would like to invite all members of the community to attend this event.

Note: Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty, are westofthei.com sponsors. This is a paid announcement — DH

Here are open houses being hosted today by Glenda and Butch Dupons, of Bear Realty:

8845 388th Ave, Burlington

7623 288th Ave, Salem

2126 Laurie Ln, Twin Lakes

Voters in the Randall Consolidated School District will be able to vote in a contested race for School Board in the spring election.

Appearing on the April 1 ballot are:

• Melissa Grochowske
• Jeff Swanson, an incumbent
• Mary Thornton, an incumbent

There are two seats to be filled, a three-year term, currently held by Swanson, and a one-year term, currently held by Thornton.  The one-year seat completes the final year in the three-year term held by former Board member Rich Petska, who resigned after his first year of his three-year term.  Thornton was appointed to his seat after his resignation in May 2024. The highest vote count will take the three-year seat, and the second highest vote count will take the one-year seat. Voters will be able to vote for two candidates.

The same questionnaire was submitted by westofthei.com to each candidate by email.

Here is their biographical information followed by their question responses, presented in alphabetical order: