Elmbrook’s Board of Education received a report from School Perceptions at its May 12, 2026 meeting, detailing the results of a comprehensive community survey conducted this past April. The survey was designed to gauge public support for a potential school facility referendum to fund critical renovations that exceed the District’s annual operating budget.

The community response was robust, with 2,941 stakeholders participating across paper and digital platforms. Distributed to all Elmbrook households, staff, and families, the survey achieved a 16% response rate. School Perceptions reported a high degree of confidence in the data, noting a narrow margin of error of +/- 1.84%.

Voters Weigh-In on Two Renovation Options

The survey explored two distinct paths for the District’s long-term facilities management, both of which garnered clear majority support from likely voters (weighted at 70% non-student households and 30% households with students):

 

District Earns Top-Tier Satisfaction Marks

Beyond facility planning, the survey measured overall community satisfaction across several key performance indicators. Utilizing a 4-point scale, the Elmbrook School District placed in the top percentiles nationally when compared to hundreds of other districts surveyed by School Perceptions:

• Delivering a high-quality education: 3.67 out of 4.00 (99th percentile nationally)
• Building pride in the community: 3.47 out of 4.00 (99th percentile nationally)
• Managing funds appropriately: 3.32 out of 4.00 (99th percentile nationally)
• Keeping the public informed: 3.27 out of 4.00 (95th percentile nationally)
   

Next Steps

The feedback gathered from this community-wide effort will play a pivotal role in shaping the District’s 20-Year Facilities Plan. The Board of Education is expected to formally adopt the plan at its upcoming meeting on June 16, 2026.

A final decision on whether the District will officially pursue a community referendum on the ballot is anticipated this summer.