When voters go to the polls for the April 2 Spring Election, in addition to the federal election primaries, and school board races, they will find 93 local school district referendums on the ballot in 86 districts.
Overall, 43 of those referendums will ask for temporary (or non-recurring) authority to increase the district’s revenue limit, while 20 will ask for permanent (or recurring) authority to increase the district’s revenue limit. In addition, there will 30 borrowing referendums on the ballot across the state. Borrowing referendums ask voters for approval to issue bonds for major construction, remodeling or maintenance projects for school facilities.
Last year (2023), 82 referendums were on the ballot statewide. This year’s total of 93 represents an increase from last year’s level, even without counting referendums already decided on the February ballot or upcoming referendum questions planned for the ballot in November. There were 10 school referendum questions in 7 districts on the February 20th ballot (4 questions passed, 6 failed). Data on the districts holding referendum in November is not yet available.
Below is a listing of all the school district referendums on the upcoming April ballot. You can also find this information on DPI’s website.
| Type | School District | Amount | Brief Description |
| Issue Debt | Abbotsford School District | $17,000,000.00 | Debt Referendum |
| Issue Debt | Algoma School District | $10,050,000.00 | Improvements to District buildings and grounds including safety, security and energy efficiency upgrades. Improvements to elementary school plumbing, roof and playground surface replacements. Renovating and remodeling middle/high school classrooms and support areas, restrooms, parking lot replacement, track resurfacing, window and door replacements. Renovating the Performing Arts Center audio, lighting and acoustical ceiling. |
| RR-2024 | Barneveld School District | $1,000,000.00 | Operating Costs and Maintenance |
| NR-2024 | Beloit School District | $27,000,000.00 | Seeking voter authority to exceed the revenue limits by $9,000,000 per year, non-recurring, for the 2024-25, 2025-26 & 2026-27 school years for operational purposes. |
| RR-2024 | Birchwood School District | $2,600,000.00 | Operational referendum to cover ongoing expenses. |
| Issue Debt | Boyceville Community School District | $18,000,000.00 | Paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide building systems, infrastructure and capital maintenance improvements; remodeling, safety, security and site improvements at the Elementary and Middle/High Schools; technology updates; improvements to the bus garage; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures, and equipment, including school buses/vehicles. |
| NR-2024 | Brighton #1 School District | $950,000.00 | Operational Referendum 2024-2025 , 2025-2026 , 2026-2027 |
| NR-2024 | Bristol #1 School District | $1,400,000.00 | 2-year non-recurring Operational Referendum to exceed the revenue limit by $700,000 per year beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and ending with the 2025-2026 school year consisting of expenses to maintain operations, facility maintenance and to update curriculum and educational programming. |
| Issue Debt | Brodhead School District | $17,485,000.00 | Resolution Authorizing General Obligation Bonds In An Amount Not To Exceed $17,485,000. |
| Issue Debt | Cadott Community School District | $25,400,000.00 | Public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement projects |
| NR-2024 | Cambria-Friesland School District | $7,500,000.00 | To exceed the revenue limit for non-recurring purposes for the purpose of meeting operational expenses. |
| NR-2024 | Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District | $7,500,000.00 | RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT BY $2,500,000 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES |
| NR-2024 | De Soto Area School District | $4,800,000.00 | Non-recurring $1,200,000 per year for 2024-25 through 2027-2028 for maintaining education and operational services. |
| Issue Debt | Drummond Area School District | $29,980,000.00 | CTE/Tech Ed addition and remodel. HVAC and electrical system upgrade and replacement. Exterior building envelope repair and site repair to prevent flooding. Remodel areas throughout the building to update the educational spaces and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — restrooms included. Creation of a secure entrance to control visitor access. Furniture, fixtures and equipment. |
| NR-2024 | Drummond Area School District | $4,800,000.00 | Current programs and services for students. 18 students:1 teacher ratio, especially at the elementary levels. Course offerings (such as career & tech ed, agriculture, fine arts, Spanish, and more). |
| RR-2024 | Edgerton School District | $3,500,000.00 | RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT BY $3,500,000 FOR RECURRING PURPOSES |
| NR-2024 | Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District | $7,000,000.00 | 4-year, $7,000,000 for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and general maintenance expenses |
| Issue Debt | Ellsworth Community School District | $25,445,000.00 | School facility improvement projects at the Middle and High Schools consisting of: construction of additions and renovations, including for physical education, fitness, career and technical education spaces: capital maintenance, building infrastructure, systems and site improvements: and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
| NR-2024 | Evansville Community School District | $22,300,000.00 | Five year referendum for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including to maintain current class sizes, to provide student resources, to maintain educational programming, sa l aries, and benefits, and to address facility maintenance |
| Issue Debt | Fennimore Community School District | $17,000,000.00 | Paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide capital maintenance, ADA accessibility updates and renovations, building systems, technology and site improvements; construction of an addition for career and technical education and renovations at the Middle/High School; lighting updates to the athletic fields; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
| NR-2024 | Fort Atkinson School District | $19,500,000.00 | Non-recurring referendum for $6,500,000 per year for 3 years (FY25-27) |
| NR-2024 | Frederic School District | $4,280,000.00 | Exceed the revenue limit by an amount not to exceed $1,070,000 on a non-recurring basis for four years beginning with the 2024-25 school year for operational expenses, staffing and maintenance costs. |
| Issue Debt | Freedom Area School District | $62,500,000.00 | Additions and renovations to current Middle-High School. |
| Issue Debt | Grafton School District | $11,140,000.00 | Issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,140,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of the construction of an addition, renovations, building infrastructure and site improvements at John Long Middle School, including acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
| NR-2024 | Green Lake School District | $7,400,000.00 | For non-recurring purposes consisting of operational costs to maintain instruction programs, staffing, technology and facilities. |
| NR-2024 | Greendale School District | $12,500,000.00 | Non-Recurring Operational Referendum for operational and maintenance expenses of $2,500,000 per year for five years. |
| RR-2024 | Hamilton School District | $7,600,000.00 | Exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $7,600,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including to maintain current class sizes, staffing levels, academic programs, course offerings and services. |
| Issue Debt | Hamilton School District | $25,000,000.00 | District-wide safety and site improvements, building updates and capital maintenance; renovations, including for technical education, science and art classrooms at Hamilton High School and construction of an addition to the cafeteria/commons area; renovations at Templeton Middle School; renovations and construction of an addition at Lannon Elementary School; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
| Issue Debt | Herman-Neosho-Rubicon School District | $23,000,000.00 | Shall the Herman-Neosho-Rubicon School District, Dodge and Washington Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $23,000,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: construction of additions, renovations, building infrastructure and site improvements, and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures, and equipment to create a single campus at the current intermediate site? |
| RR-2024 | Highland School District | $600,000.00 | Exceed the revenue limit, by $600,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses. |
| Issue Debt | Hustisford School District | $5,300,000.00 | School facility improvement project consisting of MSHS Roof Replacement; HVAC maintenance and improvements at JHE & MSHS. |
| Issue Debt | Iola-Scandinavia School District | $2,300,000.00 | Referendum to issue debt for school safety and building updates |
| NR-2024 | Jefferson School District | $8,400,000.00 | Exceed revenue limit by $2,100,000 a year for 4 years on a non-recurring basis for operational needs |
| RR-2024 | Johnson Creek School District | $3,000,000.00 | Shall the School District of Johnson Creek, Jefferson County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $3,000,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, for recurring purposes to maintain ongoing operational expenses, technology, safety, and educational programming? |
| RR-2024 | Juda School District | $500,000.00 | The District is seeking a $500,000 recurring operational referendum. |
| RR-2024 | Kickapoo Area School District | $1,600,000.00 | To exceed revenue limit for recurring purposes consisting of maintain existing educational programs and services. |
| NR-2024 | Lake Country School District | $7,200,000.00 | Exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $7,200,000 over 7 years for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses, including but not limited to maintaining curriculum programs and services. |
| Issue Debt | Lake Country School District | $9,500,000.00 | General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security, building systems, parking lot, and technology infrastructure improvements. |
| NR-2024 | Luck School District | $2,500,000.00 | Purposes consisting of maintaining current levels of educational programming and operational costs. |
| NR-2024 | Luxemburg-Casco School District | $5,400,000.00 | Exceed the revenue limit for years for operational expenses |
| NR-2024 | Mauston School District | $9,000,000.00 | Operational expenses, including for staff salary and benefits, to maintain class sizes and caseloads, to maintain technology and infrastructure, to maintain academic programs and to address behavior and mental health support. |
| RR-2024 | McFarland School District | $10,600,000.00 | 5yr Recurring Referendum to exceed Revenue Cap for additional revenues to be used to maintain 4K-Grade 12 instruction. $3,700,000 on a recurring basis, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, $1,500,000 on a recurring basis, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, $1,700,000 on a recurring basis, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, $1,800,000 on a recurring basis, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, and $1,900,000 on a recurring basis, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year |
| NR-2024 | Mellen School District | $1,500,000.00 | 3 year non-recurring operational referendum for $500,000 for each year ($500,000 in 2024-2025, $500,000 in 2025-2026 and $500,000 in 2026-2027), for a total of $1,500,000.00. |
| Issue Debt | Merrill Area School District | $16,000,000.00 | District wide school building and facility improvement |
| RR-2024 | Milwaukee School District | $252,000,000.00 | RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR RECURRING PURPOSES |
| Issue Debt | Mukwonago School District | $102,300,000.00 | Construction of a new middle school and elementary renovations for 4k classrooms |
| NR-2024 | North Lake School District | $3,400,000.00 | Referendum to Exceed the Revenue Limit for Four Years for Non-Recurring Purposes |
| NR-2024 | Northern Ozaukee School District | $6,800,000.00 | To exceed revenue limit for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including to maintain current educational programs, services, and facilities. |
| Issue Debt | Osceola School District | $38,115,000.00 | Addition to the Intermediate School |
| NR-2024 | Osseo-Fairchild School District | $8,800,000.00 | To Exceed Revenue Limit for Four Years for Non-Recurring Purposes |
| Issue Debt | Pewaukee School District | $28,500,000.00 | Career & Technical Education High School additions & renovations, district wide capital maintenance |
| NR-2024 | Platteville School District | $10,500,000.00 | Five-year Non-recurring operational referendum to maintain educational programs and operations of the District. |
| Issue Debt | Port Edwards School District | $7,300,000.00 | $7,300,000 Capital Referendum |
| NR-2024 | Port Edwards School District | $4,250,000.00 | $850,000 Non-Recurring for 5 Years |
| RR-2024 | Potosi School District | $700,000.00 | Exceed Revenue Limit on a Recurring Basis beginning 2024-2025 |
| RR-2024 | Prentice School District | $1,800,000.00 | District Operations, student programming, facility maintenance and staff salaries and benefits |
| RR-2024 | Prescott School District | $1,200,000.00 | requesting authorization to exceed the revenue limit |
| Issue Debt | Rhinelander School District | $26,000,000.00 | Issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $26,000,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project. |
| Issue Debt | Rib Lake School District | $19,500,000.00 | District-wide building maintenance, building infrastructure and site improvements along with construction of additional connecting the middle and high schools, a safe secure entrance and a replacement gymnasium and renovations in the middle and high schools for academic spaces, band and choir spaces, technical education area, kitchen and cafeteria, office and fitness center. |
| Issue Debt | River Valley School District | $14,500,000.00 | Issue debt for a school building project at the High School consisting of: construction of a performing arts center addition and a safe and secure entrance; remodeling and ADA compliance updates, including to the performing arts commons and stage areas; site improvements and other associated work; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
| Issue Debt | River Valley School District | $19,500,000.00 | Issue debt to create a single River Valley School District campus; building infrastructure, site improvements, ADA accessibility updates and other associated work; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
| NR-2024 | Seymour Community School District | $15,000,000.00 | 3 Year non recurring referendum |
| Issue Debt | Shawano School District | $54,500,000.00 | Facilities Improvement Project |
| NR-2024 | South Milwaukee School District | $10,000,000.00 | 5 year non-recurring referendum for recurring costs / staff retention, safety/security, k-12 articulated pathways, and technology |
| NR-2024 | Southwestern Wisconsin School District | $3,000,000.00 | The Southwestern Wisconsin Community School District is asking for authority to exceed the revenue caps for operational purposes. |
| NR-2024 | Sparta Area School District | $1,500,000.00 | For operational expenses including for maintenance, safety, security, technology, staff compensation and benefits. |
| Issue Debt | Stanley-Boyd Area School District | $23,000,000.00 | School building and facility improvements consisting of: Gymnasium, locker rooms and commons, relocation of district office. |
| RR-2024 | Stevens Point Area Public School District | $14,000,000.00 | Maintain general operations |
| RR-2024 | Stoughton Area School District | $6,100,000.00 | To exceed the revenue limit for operational needs. |
| NR-2024 | Thorp School District | $3,600,000.00 | Operational costs that will include programming needs, resources, staffing and low cost maintenance needs. |
| NR-2024 | Tomorrow River School District | $2,700,000.00 | Exceed revenue limit by $900,000 for each of three years for non-recurring purposes. |
| NR-2024 | Valders Area School District | $3,900,000.00 | Operational expenses related to SRO, Math Interventionist, English Language Coord; technology upgrades; support for student behavior. |
| NR-2024 | Walworth J1 School District | $3,960,000.00 | a non-recurring four year referendum of $990,000 in 2024-2025, $990,000 in 2025-2026, $990,000 in 2026-2027, and $990,000 in 2027-2028. |
| NR-2024 | Washington-Caldwell School District | $1,800,000.00 | $450,000 for 4 years, beginning with 2024-25 for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and manintenance expenses. |
| NR-2024 | Waterford Graded J1 School District | $20,000,000.00 | Exceed revenue limit by $4,000,000 for five years. |
| NR-2024 | Westby Area School District | $3,600,000.00 | Exceed Revenue Limit to sustain educational programs and to operate the District |
| NR-2024 | Williams Bay School District | $4,500,000.00 | Operational |
| NR-2024 | Wisconsin Heights School District | $12,800,000.00 | Four year non-recurring purpose – Exceed Revenue cap for general operating costs. |
| NR-2024 | Cuba City School District | $7,100,000.00 | Non-recurring Referendum for 4 years |
| NR-2024 | De Pere School District | $23,750,000.00 | Resolution authorizing the School District of De Pere Budget to exceed revenue limit by $4,750,000 per year for five years for non-recurring purposes |
| NR-2024 | Greenwood School District | $5,100,000.00 | a 4 year operational referendum for non-recurring purposes. |
| RR-2024 | Lake Geneva J1 School District | $3,000,000.00 | $3,000,000 RR |
| Issue Debt | Marshall School District | $5,000,000.00 | Seek permission to exceed the revenue limit for capital improvement projects including district-wide safe and secure school entrance improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility updates; capital maintenance improvements, including roof and window replacements at Marshall Elementary School; a bathroom/concessions building at District athletic facilities; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
| NR-2024 | Mercer School District | $4,000,000.00 | A nonrecurring levy in the amount of $800,000.00 per year beginning with the 2024-2025 school year through the 2028-2029 school year for nonrecurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses; which includes staffing costs, instructional materials, deferred maintenance, and facility upkeep. |
| Issue Debt | New Richmond School District | $113,700,000.00 | Shall the School District of New Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $113,700,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: construction of additions and renovations at Starr and Paperjack Elementary Schools and the Middle School; district-wide safety and capacity, building infrastructure and site improvements; and acquisition of associated furnishings, fixtures and equipment? |
| Issue Debt | North Lakeland School District | $5,700,000.00 | Repair aging building systems, interiors, exteriors and improve safety and security |
| RR-2024 | North Lakeland School District | $550,000.00 | To maintain current programming and educational excellence |
| RR-2024 | Parkview School District | $2,294,125.00 | Operational Recurring |
| Issue Debt | Richland School District | $27,160,000.00 | Shall the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin be authorized to
issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $27,160,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security and site improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance updates; remodeling and upgrades to District technical education space; roofing improvements at the High School; district-wide capital maintenance, infrastructure and HVAC improvements, including adding air conditioning to the school buildings where needed; auditorium upgrades; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment? |
| NR-2024 | Richland School District | $9,800,000.00 | Shall the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin be authorized to
exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,300,000 for the 2024- 2025 school year, by $2,400,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $2,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $2,600,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, to pay compensation, and to sustain District operations? |
| RR-2024 | River Ridge School District | $6,500,000.00 | Referendum to authorize exceeding Revenue Limit for $1,250,000 recurring and by an additional $250,000 thereafter in the next 3 years purposes consisting of operational costs to maintain instructional programs, staffing, technology, and Facilities Management |
