There are 77 school referendum questions over 56 school districts scheduled for the November 8 ballot, in total asking to expend $2,054,981,999.

Forty-two of the referenda are seeking authority to increase revenue limit authority.  That is in addition to the 50 such questions that have already gone before school district voters this year. Experts believe the 92 referendums seeking additional operating revenues is the highest total ever in a single calendar year.  The highest previous total in a calendar year was 82, set in 2000 and equaled in 2001.

The large number of revenue limit referenda is not surprising given the recent history of a frozen revenue limits and high inflation.  There has been no per pupil increase in revenue limits in six of the past eight years and revenue limits were frozen for both the 2021-22 an 2022-23 school year.

The need for school districts to ask taxpayers to step in to provide the resources students need is a result of continuing lack of support at the state level for adequate funding and a refusal by the current legislature to advance solutions for Wisconsin’s broken school funding system.

“Parents and educators work together every day to give children the best education possible, and it’s time our legislature take action to fix how public schools are funded,” said teacher Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, WEAC President. “Governor Tony Evers has worked to direct what funding he can to support learning and mental health for students who need it, but there’s a better way and that starts with the governor’s proposed education budget.”

“Voters this fall will decide between Governor Tony Evers, who always puts students first, and his opponent who has said more school funding is “insane,” Wirtz-Olsen said. “The difference is clear.”

Some key votes include:

  • La Crosse School District: $194,700,000 to purchase land, construct a new high school and make renovations and improvements to the old high school for use as a middle school.
  • Verona Area School District: Exceed the revenue cap by $19 million a year on a recurring basis for educational programming, maintaining and supporting instructional and extracurricular programs, and paying salary and other operational expenses.
  • Middleton-Cross Plains School District: Exceed the revenue cap by $65,470,000 over a four year period for ongoing educational and extracurricular programming, and compensation, and other operational expenses.

When you add in the 74 ballot questions asking for authority to issue debt for facilities related projects, the total number of school district referendum questions is the highest it has been since calendar year 2000, when 192 school district referenda of all types took place. (That 2000 total was prior to restrictions being placed on when school district referenda cold take place and how many times a district could place referendum questions before voters in a calendar year.)

So far this year, 44 of the 50 ballot questions (88 percent) seeking to raise revenue limits have been approved by voters. Of the 41 non-recurring (or temporary) requests to raise revenue limits, 38 were approved (92.7 percent).  Voters approved a lower percentage of recurring requests (or permanent) requests with 6 of 9 ballot questions (66.7 percent) receiving approval.

Of the 42 revenue limit questions on the Nov. 8 ballot, two-thirds (28) request non-recurring authority to increase revenue limits, while one-third (14) ask for recurring authority.

 

District District Name Total Amount Type Brief Description
0014 Adams-Friendship Area $12,600,000.00 NR – 2022 To exceed the revenue limit for four years at a total cost of $12.6 million.
0147 Appleton Area $129,800,000.00 Issue Debt Issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $129,800,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement projects.
0147 Appleton Area $5,000,000.00 RR – 2023 We would like to exceed the revenue limit by $5,000,000 annually to fund increased staffing at the K – 2 level, which would allow us to reduce class sizes, add STEM staffing at the elementary and middle levels, and fund expenses for ongoing school building maintenance, cleaning, and utility costs.
0196 Athens $5,525,000.00 Issue Debt INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,525,000
0196 Athens $1,670,000.00 RR – 2022 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR RECURRING PURPOSES
0217 Augusta $10,500,000.00 Issue Debt school facility improvement projects consisting of: construction of additions and renovations at the Elementary and Middle/High school, district-wide capital maintenance, building infrastructure, safety and sit improvements and furnishings, fixtures, and equipment
0217 Augusta $4,500,000.00 Issue Debt Construction of an addition for and equipping of a new gymnasium and related facility renovations and improvements at the Elementary school.
0245 Bangor $24,000,000.00 Issue Debt Capital Referendum
0350 Belleville $999,999.00 RR – 2023 To exceed the revenue limit by $999,999 beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses.
1246 Cuba City $26,850,000.00 Issue Debt Capital referendum for building and remodeling
1246 Cuba City $200,000.00 RR – 2023 Recurring Referendum
1380 Delavan-Darien $15,200,000.00 NR – 2023 4 Year Non-Recurring Operational Referendum to exceed revenue cap by $3,800,000 beginning in 2023-2024 and ending in 2026-2027
1407 Denmark $31,000,000.00 Issue Debt INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $31,000,000
1407 Denmark $2,775,000.00 NR – 2023 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT
BY $925,000 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS
FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES
1554 Eau Claire Area $98,600,000.00 Issue Debt To issue $ 98,600,000 to complete capital improvement projects at 11 of our schools.
1883 Fort Atkinson $22,000,000.00 Issue Debt $22M GO Bonds for secure entries, maintenance projects, and traffic flow improvements.
1883 Fort Atkinson $3,000,000.00 RR – 2022 $3M Recurring beginning in 2022-23
1883 Fort Atkinson $13,000,000.00 NR – 2023 $4M – 2023/24
$4M – 2024/25
$5M – 2025/26
1890 Fox Point J2 $12,400,000.00 NR – 2023 Non-Recurring Operational Referendum to Exceed Revenue Limit by $3.1 Million per year for Four Years, 2023-24 school year through 2026-27 school year.
2044 Geneva J4 $4,500,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed Revenue cap – 2023-2024 to 2025-2026
2289 Green Bay Area $92,605,000.00 Issue Debt Question:  Shall the Green Bay Area Public School District, Brown County, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $92,605,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of:  district-wide safety, security, building infrastructure and capital maintenance improvements; renovations and facility updates to secondary schools; construction of an addition at certain district buildings; district-wide athletic facility and site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?
2303 Greenfield $20,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Resolution authorizing the School District budget exceed the revenue limit by $5,000,000 per year beginning in the 2023-24 school year and every school year thereafter, through the 2026-27 school year, for non-recurring purposes.
2534 Hilbert $8,270,000.00 Issue Debt This is to issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $8,270,000 for additions and renovations to our Career and Technical Education areas, band and choir areas, locker room/fitness areas, and our lunch room/commons area.
2534 Hilbert $200,000.00 RR – 2022 This resolution will be used to fund staffing in the career and technical education area as well as acquire additional equipment for the career and technical education area.
2541 Hillsboro $3,000,000.00 NR – 2023 For non-recurring purposes to maintain District facilities and current programs.
2562 Holmen $650,000.00 RR – 2024 For recurring purposes consisting of building maintenance and technology.
2562 Holmen $74,750,000.00 Issue Debt Evergreen, Viking and Holmen Middle renovations, infrastructure, capital maintenance, safety and site improvements, Evergreen addition and Holmen Middle wing reconstruction and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. Inclusive playground and safety surfaces at all four elementary schools.
2605 Howards Grove $39,800,000.00 Issue Debt Construction and furnishings for a middle school addition to the high school, district-wide infrastructure improvements, athletic facility work, and removal of current middle school.
2605 Howards Grove $2,900,000.00 Issue Debt Renovating, improving, and equipping the High School gymnasium and certain athletic fields and facilities located on district-owned land.
2702 Jefferson $34,000,000.00 Issue Debt District-wide safety, security and facility improvements.
2702 Jefferson $8,000,000.00 Issue Debt Construction and equipping an athletic complex.
2849 La Crosse $194,700,000.00 Issue Debt Issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $194,700,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of acquisition of land for and construction of a consolidated high school and renovations and improvements to the current high school buildings for conversion into middle schools
2898 Lake Mills Area $44,000,000.00 Issue Debt New intermediate building on district-owned land
2898 Lake Mills Area $950,000.00 RR – 2024 Operational referendum for ongoing expenditures associated with a new intermediate school
3206 Loyal $6,700,000.00 NR – 2023 Resolution Authorizing the School District Budget to exceed revenue limit for five years for non-recurring purposes.
3430 Menasha $99,700,000.00 Issue Debt For the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility
improvement project consisting of: the construction of a new Maplewood School on the existing
site and removal of the current building; site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings,
fixtures and equipment.
3500 Merrill Area $10,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Four Year Non-Recurring referendum in the amount of $2,500,000 per year beginning with the 23-24 school year.
3549 Middleton-Cross Plains $65,470,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed Revenue Limits for four years, non-recurring for the expenses related to ongoing educational and extracurricular programming, and compensation, and other operational expenses.

EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT
FOR FOUR YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES

3682 Monroe $88,000,000.00 Issue Debt Construction of new HS and related costs and capital maintenance improvements to Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
3794 Mount Horeb Area $4,820,000.00 RR – 2023 Exceed Revenue Limits by $4,820,000 beginning with the 2023-2024 school year for recurring purposes
3983 North Fond Du Lac $18,500,000.00 Issue Debt Amount not to exceed $18,500,000 for paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement projects
3983 North Fond Du Lac $2,400,000.00 NR – 2022 Exceed Revenue Limit by $800,000 for 3 years
4074 Oconto Falls $37,630,000.00 Issue Debt Capital Referendum to construct new middle school, removal of the existing middle school, secure entrances and roofs added/replaced at high school and elementary schools.
4095 Onalaska $75,000,000.00 Issue Debt Issue $75,000,000 of General Obligation Bonds for Addition/Remodel of Onalaska Middle School and Onalaska High School.
4095 Onalaska $21,650,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed the revenue limit for operational purposes
4144 Oregon $11,400,000.00 RR – 2022 Shall the Oregon School District, Dane, Green and Rock Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $5,420,000 for the 2022-2023 school year; by an additional $3,000,000 (for a total of $8,420,000) for the 2023-2024 school year; and by an additional $2,980,000 (for a total of $11,400,000) for the 2024-2025 school year and thereafter, for recurring purposes consisting of expenses to pay compensation and to sustain District instruction and operations?
4151 Parkview $6,000,000.00 NR – 2023
4151 Parkview $15,400,000.00 Issue Debt
4305 Peshtigo $39,950,000.00 Issue Debt School building and facility improvement project at the Middle/High School.
4389 Platteville $36,000,000.00 Issue Debt Issue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $36,000,000 for the purpose of paying the cost of improvements to school district buildings and grounds including Americans with Disabilities Act and safety improvements; cafeteria/kitchen renovations at the Neal Wilkins Early Learning Center and the High School; renovations and additions to the Neal Wilkins Early Learning Center, the Middle School and the High School; improvements to the High School outdoor activities complex; parent drive and parking safety upgrades at the Westview Elementary School; and equipment and furniture acquisition related to said projects.
4557 Prairie Farm $4,250,000.00 NR – 2023 General Operation
4613 Pulaski Community $8,500,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed the revenue limit for purposes consisting of compensating and providing
benefits to teachers and staff, maintaining programs and services,
and operating facilities.
4613 Pulaski Community $69,800,000.00 Issue Debt Issue Debt in the amount of $69,800,000  for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project.
4641 Random Lake $29,900,000.00 Issue Debt Building and facility improvement projects.
4781 Rhinelander $16,000,000.00 NR – 2023
4872 Ripon Area $5,100,000.00 NR – 2022 The Ripon Area School District will ask voters to consider a six-year non-recurring referendum to exceed revenue limits by $850,000 to sustain general operations.
5432 Somerset $25,500,000.00 Issue Debt Construction of Auditorium, improvements to stadium, track & field, renovating building systems and capital maintenance at ES
5432 Somerset $11,000,000.00 Issue Debt Construction of HS gymnasium space and construction of athletic fields
5457 Southern Door County $2,925,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed Revenue Limit by $975000 per year for three years for non recurring purposes
5457 Southern Door County $14,900,000.00 Issue Debt INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $14,900,000
5621 Stoughton Area $36,300,000.00 Issue Debt School facility improvement project for safety, security, energy efficiency, capital maintenance, site improvements, remodeling, and removal of old structures and construction of a new maintenance facility.
5621 Stoughton Area $11,700,000.00 Issue Debt Construction of a gymnasium addition at River Bluff Middle School and removal of Community Gym building.
5628 Stratford $2,935,000.00 NR – 2022 exceed the revenue limit specified, by $190,000 for the 2022-2023 school year, by $480,000 for the 2023-2024 school year, by $875,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, and by $1,390,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses
5656 Sun Prairie Area $9,000,000.00 RR – 2022 to pay for expenses related to maintaining class sizes, student services and staff compensation, providing
for substitute teacher coverage, increasing mental health services for students, and ongoing
safety and facility maintenance
5733 Three Lakes $21,250,000.00 NR – 2023 Five (5) year, $4,250,000 per year, non-recurring referendum for operational expenses
5824 Two Rivers $38,700,000.00 Issue Debt Facility addition at LB Clarke Middle School, renovations and district wide improvements to security, technology, sites, building systems and playgrounds.
5901 Verona Area $19,000,000.00 RR – 2023 Exceed the revenue limit by $19,000,000 for the 2022-2023 school year and thereafter, for recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, maintaining and supporting instructional and extracurricular programs, and paying salary and other operational expenses.
5985 Viroqua Area $17,000,000.00 Issue Debt INITIAL RESOLUTION NUMBER I AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $17,000,000
5985 Viroqua Area $3,500,000.00 Issue Debt INITIAL RESOLUTION NUMBER II
AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,500,000
6118 Waterloo $3,500,000.00 NR – 2022 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT BY $700,000 PER YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES
6181 Waunakee Community $175,000,000.00 Issue Debt Construction of a new Heritage Elementary School on district-owned land; construction of a new middle school on district-owned land; removal of the current Heritage Elementary School building; district-wide renovations, capital maintenance and site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
6181 Waunakee Community $10,000,000.00 NR – 2022 Purposes consisting of expenses related to attracting and retaining staff, operating and maintaining any additional school facilities, and maintaining current programs and services.
6195 Waupaca $3,875,000.00 Issue Debt General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of district-wide safety and security upgrades.
6216 Waupun $2,940,000.00 NR – 2022 Exceed the revenue limit by $980,000 each year for three years; 22/23, 23/24, 24/25
6251 Wauzeka-Steuben $3,352,000.00 NR – 2022 4 year non recurring operational referendum
6461 Whitewater $17,600,000.00 NR – 2023 permission to exceed the revenue limit for maintaining targeted class sizes, maintaining student support and mental health services, maintaining comprehensive instructional and co-curricular programs, and maintaining technology, safety, and facilities infrastructure.
6678 Wisconsin Dells $4,800,000.00 NR – 2022 4 Year, Non-Recurring Operational Referendum for $1,200,000 per year ($4,800,000 total) from 2022-23 until 2025-26 school year.