The statewide passage rate for school referenda on last Tuesday’s ballot dipped in comparison with recent elections, with the biggest dip coming in the rate of passage for ballot questions seeking approval of school borrowing (debt issuance).
Of the 70 total school referendums on the April 6 ballot, 42 were passed for an overall passage rate of 60 percent.
- Of 36 debt referenda on the ballot,19 were passed (52.8%).
- Of the 34 questions asking voters for permission to exceed revenue limits, 23 were passed (67.6%).
Broken down by category:
- 18 of 26 requests for non-recurring authority to exceed revenue limits were approved (69.2 %), while
- 5 of 8 requests for recurring authority to exceed revenue limits were adopted (62.5%).
Below is a table showing complete results, per the DPI.
|
District Name |
Total Amount |
Type |
Result |
Brief Description |
|
Alma Center |
$4,900,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 407-312 |
To address energy efficiency projects, capital maintenance improvements, as well as the completion of a new athletic stadium complex. |
|
Bangor |
$2,700,000 |
NR – 2022 |
Passed 452-233 |
Exceed the revenue cap by $900,000 per year for three years beginning in 2022-2023 school year and ending with the 2024-2025 school year for non-recurring purposes. |
|
Barron Area |
$24,500,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 737-725 |
Initial Resolution Number I–Authorizing general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $24,500,000. |
|
Barron Area |
$1,900,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 682-772 |
Initial Resolution Number II–Authorizing general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,900,000 |
|
Benton |
$43,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 198-44 |
For district building and site improvements and capital maintenance repairs. |
|
Black Hawk |
$14,225,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 258-553 |
Capital Improvements – Removal of portion of building and new construction. |
|
Bonduel |
$12,500,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 812-598 |
Paying the cost of a district-wide school facility improvement project consisting of: renovations, building infrastructure, security and site improvements, including classroom and ADA accessibility updates and HVAC improvements, and construction of an addition for a gymnasium and locker room at the Junior High/High School campus; remodeling for a secure entrance and building infrastructure improvements at the Elementary School; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
|
Brighton #1 |
$3,975,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 198-211 |
To build a STEM lab, a new art/music room, renovate the library media center, add a special education suite, and improve the building site to have a separate bus drop off to improve student safety. |
|
Bruce |
$2,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 453-290 |
Operating expenses |
|
Cambria-Friesland |
$5,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 264-200 |
To exceed the revenue limit for non-recurring purposes to maintain academic and educational programs, technology, and address facility needs. |
|
Central/Westosha UHS |
$39,600,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 2,439-2,201 |
The proposal focuses on four key areas: |
|
Cumberland |
$32,500,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 870-1,044 |
To pay the cost of a school addition and improvement project at the High School/Middle School campus to include: partial removal of the current High School building, renovations and construction of multipurpose academic spaces and support areas, an auditorium and a gymnasium; safety, security, technology, capital maintenance and building infrastructure improvements; ADA accessibility updates; site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment |
|
Darlington Community |
$9,500,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 491-419 |
Resolution Authorizing the School District Budget to Exceed Revenue Limit by $1,900,000 Per Year for Five Years for Non-Recurring Purposes |
|
East Troy Community |
$8,000,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 1,872-1,960 |
Bonds in an amount not to exceed $8,000,000 for school wide maintenance and improvements. |
|
East Troy Community |
$8,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Failed 1,763-2,065 |
Non-recurring, five year referendum to exceed the revenue limits for operating purposes of maintaining existing programs and staffing. |
|
Edgar |
$800,000 |
RR – 2021 |
Failed 532-568 |
three-year for recurring purposes consisting of facility maintenance and operational expenses |
|
Elcho |
$4,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Failed 520-550 |
General Operation and Maintenance expense |
|
Florence |
$5,450,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 730-563 |
Referendum to exceed revenue cap for four years beginning FY2021-2022 |
|
Genoa City J2 |
$2,100,000(total) $700,000 in 2022-23; $900,000 in 2023-24 |
NR – 2021 |
Failed 266-309 |
Three-year non-recurring referendum for operational purposes. The maximum amount each year varies. |
|
Grantsburg |
$17,900,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 655-726 |
Close Nelson Primary School, Remodel/ renovate Elementary School, Add classrooms and gymnasium to Middle School, addition to High School to construct secure entrance and offices |
|
Grantsburg |
$4,235,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 506-868 |
Multi-purpose Gymnasium at High School |
|
Hortonville |
$41,800,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 3,261-1,779 |
For renovations and additions at both Greenville Middle School and Hortonville High School. These projects will assist with growth and add appropriate and flexible space for current education needs. |
|
Hortonville |
$12,200,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 2,419- 2,611 |
Addition of a multipurpose facility at Hortonville High School for school and community use. The project cost is $12.2M with minimal tax impact ($22 per $100,000 of value). |
|
Howards Grove |
$35,000,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 735-885 |
For new middle school and other capital improvements |
|
Howard-Suamico |
$25,000,000 |
NR – 2023 |
Passed 3,784-3,232 |
Exceed the revenue limit for five years beginning with the 2023-2024 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 school year by an amount of $5,000,000 each year for non-recurring purposes consisting of reducing class sizes, employee compensation, and facility maintenance |
|
Howard-Suamico |
$98,000,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 3,656-3,356 |
Issue general obligation bonds to pay the cost of a school building improvement project consisting of: renovations, including improvements to learning environments, safety and security improvements and construction of additions for new gymnasiums at Bay View Middle School and Forest Glen Elementary School; district-wide capital maintenance and building infrastructure improvements; site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
|
Hustisford |
$900,000 |
NR – 2022 |
Failed 381-491 |
To exceed revenue limit by $300,000 each year for three years (starting in Fiscal Year 2022) |
|
Independence |
$2,100,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Failed 123-149 |
Exceed Revenue Limit by $700,000 per year for 3 years. |
|
Kickapoo Area |
$2,000,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 425-199 |
To pay the cost of a pool facility building and improvement project at the existing facility. |
|
Kohler |
$17,550,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 553-234 |
District wide school facility improvement project. |
|
Kohler |
$2,590,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 461-319 |
Improvements to outdoor athletic facilities and related site improvements. |
|
Lake Geneva J1 |
$750,000 |
RR – 2021 |
Passed 1,594-978 |
$750,000 for recuring purposes consisting of ongoing operational expenses, technology, safety to maintain current educational programming |
|
Lake Geneva-Genoa UHS |
$6,000,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 2,165- 1,423 |
$6,000,000 paying cost of renovations, capital maintenance and updates at the school facilities and site |
|
Lake Geneva-Genoa UHS |
$750,000 |
RR – 2021 |
Passed 2,128- 1,470 |
750,000 for recurring purposes consisting of ongoing operational expenses, technology and safety upgrades and maintain current educational programming |
|
Lena |
$4,250,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 325-247 |
Operational |
|
Linn J4 |
$250,000 |
RR – 2021 |
Passed 114-90 |
Recurring purposes |
|
Luck |
$6,980,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 483-374 |
General Obligations Bonds |
|
Manitowoc |
$12,900,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 4,812- 3,337 |
Non-recurring referendum to increase the revenue limit an additional 4.3 million dollars each year for the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 fiscal years. |
|
Medford Area |
$39,900,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 1,364-2,450 |
Resolution Providing for a Referendum Election of the approval of an Initial resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $39,900,000 |
|
Monroe |
$5,600,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 2,530-1,009 |
School Facility Improvements at Northside Elementary School |
|
New Glarus |
$28,900,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 1,118-484 |
Issue general obligation to pay the cost of a school building and improvement project consisting of: construction of a grade 4K-2 primary school; renovations, capital maintenance and building infrastructure improvements at the current Elementary School; renovations and a technical education/shop addition at the Middle School/High School; site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment. |
|
Nicolet UHS |
$23,400,000 |
NR – 2022 |
Passed 3,629-1,794 |
Exceed revenue limit by $3.9 million for six years for non-recurring purposes. |
|
Oconto |
$13,000,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 949-589 |
Issuance of GO Bonds in an amount not to exceed $13,000,000 |
|
Oconto |
$4,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 893-64 |
Exceed revenue cap by $800,000 for five years. |
|
Oconto Falls |
$4,400,000 |
RR – 2021 |
Passed 1,189-1,104 |
Exceed revenue limit to maintain current programs and services and to fund building maintenance, competitive staff compensation, expanded course offerings and additional building security improvements. |
|
Peshtigo |
$33,200,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 894-907 |
School building and facility improvement project at the Middle/High School. |
|
Peshtigo |
$1,825,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 796-997 |
Construction of additional athletic fields and related facilities, site improvements and acquisition of related equipment. |
|
Phelps |
$7,092,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 248-63 |
Exceed revenue cap in the amount of 1,182,000.00 each year for 6 years. |
|
Randall J1 |
$2,700,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 477-375 |
Authorization to exceed the revenue limit by $900,000 per year for the 2021-22 school year through the 2023-2024 school year. |
|
Reedsville |
$11,500,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 465-845 |
|
|
Richland |
$19,700,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 836-1,151 |
Initial Resolution authorizing issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $19,700,000 |
|
Riverdale |
$7,910,000 |
NR – 2022 |
Passed 480-338 |
Resolution authorizing the school district budget to exceed revenue limit for nineteen years for non-recurring purposes. |
|
Saint Croix Central |
$22,500,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 813-941 |
Initial Resolution authorizing issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $22,500,000 |
|
Saint Croix Central |
$4,850,000 |
RR – 2021 |
Failed 710-1,023 |
Recurring resolution to exceed revenue cap commencing with the 2021-22 school |
|
Saint Francis |
$3,200,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 922-617 |
Non-Recurring referendum to exceed revenue limit by $800,000 per year for operational purposes 2021-2022 through 2024-2025 |
|
Saint Francis |
$30,600,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 954-591 |
Referendum to issue debt in the amount of $30,600,000 for District-wide facilities additions and improvements. |
|
Seymour Community |
$6,550,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 1,372-571 |
Technology Education Addition and renovation as well as improvements to site at middle school and high school. |
|
Spencer |
$975,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Failed 293-452 |
Exceed Revenue Limit by $975,000 for the 2021-2022 School Year for Non-Recurring Purposes |
|
Tomahawk |
$13,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Failed 1,299-1,332 |
Beginning 2021-22 school year 3.25M per year non-recurring referendum ending 2024-2025. |
|
Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated |
$3,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Failed 257-269 |
Exceed revenue limit for five years for non-recurring purposes. |
|
Wabeno Area |
$12,500,000 |
NR – 2022 |
Passed 551-427 |
To exceed the revenue limit for operational purposes by $2,500,000 per year for five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27. |
|
Washington |
$1,450,000 (total) $675,000 in 2021-22 $775,000 in 2022-23
|
NR – 2022-2023 |
Passed 251-188 |
|
|
Wausau |
$4,000,000 |
RR – 2021 |
Passed 6,000-5,445 |
Recurring resolution to exceed the revenue limit by $4,000,000 beginning with the 2021-22 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to maintaining educational programs and staffing, providing full pupil services teams at each elementary school, and other safety, operational, and maintenance expenses? |
|
Wausau |
$148,800,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 5,675-5,749 |
Issue debt in the amount of $148,800,000 for district-wide safety and security, school modernization, building infrastructure, capital maintenance and site improvements; remodeling at the elementary, middle and high schools; construction of additions at Horace Mann and John Muir Middle Schools, West High School and Grant, Lincoln, Hawthorn Hills, Maine, Rib Mountain, Riverview, South Mountain and Stettin Elementary Schools; construction of a new School Forest Environmental Center; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment? |
|
Weston |
$3,900,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 355-229 |
Exceed the revenue limit by $975,000 per year for four years for non-recurring purposes. |
|
Weston |
$1,900,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 347-214 |
Initial Resolution authorizing General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,900,000. |
|
Wisconsin Dells |
$4,890,400 |
RR – 2021 |
Failed 828-1,019 |
To exceed the revenue limit for recurring purposes to maintain existing programs and services. |
|
Wisconsin Heights |
$7,500,000 |
Issue Debt |
Failed 930-1,281 |
Add Auditorium to current Middle School/High School location |
|
Wisconsin Rapids |
$10,000,000 |
NR – 2021 |
Passed 3,228-2,664 |
To exceed the revenue limit by $2,000,000 per year for five years, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year and ending with the 2025-2026 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of technology and curriculum updates. |
|
Wisconsin Rapids |
$34,000,000 |
Issue Debt |
Passed 3,248-2,592 |
To issue general obligation bonds to pay the cost of a district-wide school building and facility improvement project consisting of: construction of secure entrances at all schools; renovations to science classrooms, labs and other areas and construction of an addition for a new Library/Student Resource Center and main office at Lincoln High School; construction of an addition for a new gymnasium and renovations at Rudolph Elementary School (THINK Academy); capital maintenance and building infrastructure improvements; and acquisition of furnishings fixtures and equipment. |
