Nearly one fifth of Wisconsin’s 421 school districts asked voters to consider additional funding in the April 7 election.
Voters in 73 districts across the state, including seven in the Central Wisconsin region, were asked to consider on April 7 over $1 billion of additional funds for both operational costs and capital project borrowing with 75 ballot questions, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) referenda report website.
Voters in nine districts approved referenda for capital projects totaling about $231.4 million while voters in three districts rejected $278 million in funding for capital projects. Among the rejected referenda were Whitefish Bay School District’s $135.6 million request to construct a new middle school building and implement district-wide security improvements and Baraboo School District’s $74 million ask for additions and renovations at multiple school buildings.
Voters in 63 districts were asked to consider operational funds totaling at least $537.57 million on either a recurring or non-recurring basis. Voters in five of six districts considering recurring referenda approved $3.87 million in ongoing funding while voters in 42 of 57 districts considering non-recurring funding approved $329.31 million in short-term funding.
The seven districts in the Central Wisconsin area all sought non-recurring referenda valued at $61.95 million for periods between two and five years, according to the DPI. Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools asked for the most at $19 million over five years while the School District of Waupaca asked for $5.5 million spread over two years, according to the DPI.
Here are the unofficial results of the referenda Central Wisconsin voters considered on April 7 and some additional information. Vote totals are preliminary until confirmed by school district clerks within 10 days following an election.
Granton Area School District
Voters overwhelmingly rejected a $6.25 million non-recurring referendum that would have increased the district’s tax levy by $1.25 million for five years for classroom materials and resources, academic programs and extracurricular activities, collaborations with neighboring districts, building maintenance, technology upgrades and replenishing the district’s general fund, according to the district’s referendum website.
“We are committed to finding solutions to address the financial challenges our district faces and we will continue engaging with GASD residents and staff as we move forward with this process,” the district wrote in a message in response to the election results on its website. “Thank you to all voters who participated in the election and for their consideration of the referendum on the April 7 ballot.”
Iola-Scandinavia School District
Voters rejected a four-year $7.6 million non-recurring referendum that would have increased the district’s tax levy by $1.6 million for the 2026-27 school year and by $2 million for the three remaining years for education programming, student opportunities and operations. As a result of the rejection, the district will consider elimination of programs and services for students, reduction of staff, reduction or elimination of extracurricular activities, and delayed maintenance projects, according to the district’s referendum website.
“We appreciate all the conversations we had with community members in the months leading up to election day and their consideration of the measure on the ballot,” the district wrote in a message in response to the election results on its website. “The Board of Education and administration at I-S is committed to finding solutions to the financial challenges our district faces and we will continue to engage with the community as this process moves forward.”
Necedah Area School District
Voters rejected a four-year $5.8 million non-recurring referendum that would have increased the district’s tax levy by $1.2 million for the 2026-27 school year, $1.4 million for the 2027-28 school year and by $1.6 million for the two remaining years for operational costs such as utilities, transportation, staff salaries, instructional materials and classroom supplies, building maintenance, technology upgrades, food service, professional services and student safety, according to the district’s referendum website.
The district is also listed as a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed on Feb. 23 by Wisconsin school districts, teachers, staff and parents claiming the current state school funding system is unconstitutional and not meeting students’ educational needs, according to the lawsuit.
Nekoosa School District
Voters approved a five-year $10 million non-recurring referendum that will increase the district’s tax levy by $2 million during the five school years between 2026-27 and 2030-31 for staff retention, restoration of student supports, preservation of academic programs and expansion of career pathways, according to the district’s referendum website.
“Thank you to our community for your support,” the district wrote in a Facebook post in response to the election results. “Your vote reflects a strong commitment to our students, and we are grateful for your partnership in moving forward to Strong Schools, Strong Communities!”
Rosholt School District
Voters approved a four-year $7.8 million non-recurring referendum that will increase the district’s tax levy by $1.6 million for the 2026-27 school year, $1.8 million for the 2027-28 school year and by $2.2 million for the two remaining years to maintain and sustain facilities, equipment, staffing and programming, according to the district’s referendum website.
The district thanked voters in the district for their support in a message on its website.
Waupaca School District
Voters approved a $5.5 million non-recurring referendum that will increase the district’s tax levy by $2.75 million for two years to support and maintain current district operations, programs and services, according to the district’s referendum website.
“Because of your support, we can continue to provide the programs, opportunities, and student outcomes our community expects,” the district wrote in a Facebook post in response to the election results.
“We recognize that a 47% ‘no’ vote means we still have work to do in listening to and addressing the concerns of residents. As we move forward together, we remain committed to maintaining fiscal transparency and continuing to be responsible stewards of the trust you have placed in us,” the district said in the post.
Wisconsin Rapids School District
Voters narrowly approved a five-year $19 million non-recurring referendum that will increase the district’s tax levy by $3.8 million during the five school years between 2026-27 and 2030-31 for regular operational costs related to staffing, curriculum materials, student services, transportation, utilities and technology licensing, according to the district’s referendum website.
“We are grateful to our community for taking the time to learn about the district’s financial needs and for participating in this important decision,” Ron Rasmussen, superintendent, said in an April 7 news release. “This outcome allows Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools to maintain the programs and services our students rely on while continuing to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: These are the results of 7 Central Wisconsin school district referenda
Reporting by Erik Pfantz, Stevens Point Journal / Stevens Point Journal
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