WISCONSIN — School districts across Wisconsin will have referenda on the ballot in April.
Many of those school districts will host community informational meetings in the coming weeks to discuss the referenda up for consideration.
On April 1, 19% of Wisconsin school districts — 81 — in the state will ask voters to approve at least one referendum. Eight of those districts have two referendum questions on the ballot this spring, bring the total referendum count up to 89. There are 421 school districts in the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Here are some of the largest and most prominent referenda for voters to consider this election cycle:
Oshkosh Area School District
Oshkosh Area School District put a $197.8 million building referendum on the ballot. The district wants to build a new, consolidated, middle school at the Shapiro site. It would then close South Park and Perry Tipler, going from three West Side middle schools to two.
With the referendum funds, the school district said it would like to make additions and renovations at Franklin, Carl Traeger and Oakwood Elementary Schools. It would then close Roosevelt and Shapiro, going from seven West Side elementary schools to five.
It also has plans to convert Perry Tipler Middle School into a pre-kindergarten center and recreation department. Additional funds would go toward installing air conditioning at Emmeline Cook, Lakeside and Read Elementary Schools and adding an auditorium at Oshkosh North High School.
Get more information, here.
Racine Unified School District
The Racine Unified School District has a $190 million operations referendum on this spring's ballot. The district is asking for that money over the span of five years in a non-recurring referendum to fund operational expenditures including:
- Protecting class sizes and vital programs, including the Academies of Racine
- Attract and retain teachers and staff
- Invest in safety and security
Get more information, here.
Arrowhead Union
After a larger referendum failed to pass in Nov. 2024, Arrowhead Union has put forth a $136.2 million building referendum.
Should it pass, this referendum would fund additions and renovations to the current North Campus building, consolidating it into one high school building. The South Campus building would be demolished. Additionally, the school district would make other site and athletic facility improvements. The school said it also wants to get furnishings, fixtures and equipment with some of those proposed funds.
Get more information, here.
Sheboygan Falls School District
Sheboygan Falls School District has a $70 million building referendum on the ballot in April. It also had a referendum fail to pass in Nov. 2024.
The district said money acquired from the referendum would go toward renovatiions and expansions at its high school and elementary school, which would include security upgrades.
Get more information, here.
Baraboo School District
The Baraboo School District is seeking $69.9 million from its spring referendum. Funds would support additions, renovations, safety improvements and maintenance upgrades at three of its elementary schools.
The referendum would also support a new full-day 4-year-old kindergarten program. A closure of the West Kindergarten Center is possible under this referendum.
Get more information, here.
Beloit School District
Beloit School District put forth a $40 million referendum to its voters. The school district said it will exceed its revenue limit by $9.17 million for the 2025-26 school year and by $14.12 million for the 2026-27 school year. It's also set to exceed its 2027-28 school year revenue limit by $16.95 million.
Referendum funds would support operational and maintenance expenses, including student behavioral resources, student academic resources and compensation for teachers and staff.
Get more information, here.
Wausau School District
Wausau School District is set to exceed its revenue limit by $8 million through the 2029-30 school year for non-recurring purposes.
The district said the referendum would allow it to mitigate its budget deficit and maintain and enhance student programming. Additionally, funds would be put toward attracting and retaining staff. The district said the referendum would also allow it to address ongoing maintenance needs including roofing, HVAC/air conditioning, mass communication upgrades, cameras and energy efficiency.
Get more information, here.
Rhinelander School District
The Rhinelander School District is asking voters to pass a $20 million operations referendum which would support ongoing and non-recurring operational expenses.
The school district will exceed its revenue limit by $3 million per year for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. It will then exceed the limit by $7 million per year for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years.
Get more information, here.
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