(This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
Over the past six months, $8,500 has been donated toward encouraging residents to vote for Appleton’s referendum, according to a recent campaign finance report.
The March 30 report, which was obtained by the Appleton Post-Crescent, shows that the publicity campaign to vote “yes” on Appleton’s operational referendum has received most of its financial support from the Wisconsin Education Association Council and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson. The money went to advocacy group Friends of Appleton Schools.
A representative of WEAC, a teachers union with members in the Fox Valley, confirmed the donation originated with it and its local political action committee. According to the campaign finance report, WEAC donated $2,000 to the campaign, while the local PAC contributed $2,500.
“Our educator-members work day-to-day in public schools and experience what the drastic state budget shortfalls mean for our students,” said a statement from WEAC. “We know that in many of our communities, passing referendums is the only way educators can continue to meet students’ needs until the state steps up to fund its fair share. Because of that, our educator-members support local referendums in a variety of ways, including sometimes spending their own money through their union to support outreach efforts.”
Meanwhile, Nelson confirmed that he donated from his campaign committee; the report shows he gave $3,000 to Friends of Appleton Schools last November.
“State cuts have been devastating to our schools,” he said in an email to the Post-Crescent. “Teachers work hard and shouldn’t have to worry whether they’ll have a job at the end of a school year or not. Happy to do my part.”
Friends of Appleton Schools has supported other referendums in the past, including the last capital referendum in 2022, according to organizer James Bacon. However, he said the group does not promote or donate to any school board candidates.
The receipts for Friends of Appleton schools for this referendum total $8,500, according to the report. Bacon said most of the money went to mailers, but that they also spent the funds on small-scale events and yard signs to promote the referendum.
Referendum supported by state rep, local advocates; opposed by school board candidate
Representatives of public education advocacy group Fox Cities Advocates for Public Education, as well as state Rep. Lee Snodgrass, D-Appleton, have also spoken in favor of the referendum.
On the “no” side, no organization has turned in a campaign finance report for this cycle. According to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, if a committee hasn’t accepted contributions or spent money to support or oppose a referendum on the ballot, it doesn’t need to file a pre-primary or pre-election report.
Still, yard signs urging residents to vote against the referendum have appeared around town, and a conservative advocacy group, Fox Valley Initiative, has encouraged residents to vote no on its social media page. School Board candidate Mike Janke, president of Fox Valley Initiative, has also spoken out against the referendum.
In a March 5 candidate forum held by the League of Women Voters, Janke said that he felt the School Board and administration have not “exhausted every level of funding cuts that need to happen” ahead of going to referendum. He pointed to declining enrollment numbers to make his case against further funding.
The operational referendum is intended to cover a $13 million budget deficit. The district is asking for an additional $15 million a year over four years, or $60 million total. The referendum text states the money would be used for operational expenses and to add services for lower-income students and students with mental health needs. The district has said if the referendum doesn’t pass, budget cuts would result in bigger class sizes and fewer course and co-curricular offerings.
They’re not the only ones in the Valley facing the possibility of budget cuts; Menasha schools are also going to referendum in an effort to cover their deficit. And, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, over 70 Wisconsin school districts are going to referendum this spring.
The early voting period ends at noon on April 3 in Appleton, with Election Day on April 7. To learn where your polling place is and see what’s on your ballot, go to myvote.wi.gov.
Rebecca Loroff is a K-12 education reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. Contact her at rloroff@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Referendum ‘yes’ campaign supported by teachers’ union, county exec
Reporting by Rebecca Loroff, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
