Wisconsin Voters Decide on $1.6 Billion in School Referendums
Wisconsin voters consider 72 school district referendums totaling $1.6 billion to address inflationary costs and budget deficits across the state.
Voters across Wisconsin are deciding on 72 school district referendums on Tuesday, with total funding requests reaching $1.6 billion. In Northeast Wisconsin, the Green Bay Area Public School District is seeking $158 million over four years. Chief Financial Officer Angie Roble attributes the request to inflation and a lack of state funding, noting that federal grants are restricted to specific students and cannot cover general operating costs.
Other regional requests include the West De Pere School District, which seeks to reallocate $4.9 million annually from debt services over five years. School Board president Jenni Fuss stated that these funds are already budgeted but require voter approval for reallocation, adding that the district has already cut $1.5 million to prepare for a deficit.
Opposing the measures, Will Flanders of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argues that some referendums should be questioned, citing the high per-student spending in Green Bay. District leaders warn that failure to pass these measures will result in staff and program cuts. Green Bay officials indicated they would seek another referendum in the spring if the current request is declined.
