Multiple Wisconsin School Referendums Yield Mixed Results

In the recent spring elections, Fond du Lac voters rejected a $10 million annual operational referendum aimed at maintaining school operations and enhancing security, leading to necessary budget cuts within the district. Conversely, the Columbus School District successfully passed a $1.75 million annual referendum to support educational programs and staff retention, demonstrating strong community backing. In Kenosha County, two out of three school district referendums passed, including a $7 million capital referendum for safety and infrastructure improvements in the Silver Lake-Salem Joint #1 School District. The La Crosse area saw mixed results with two successful referendums, including a $1.3 million increase for the Viroqua School District, while the Holmen district narrowly failed a $3.85 million referendum. These outcomes reflect a growing divide in community support for school funding across different districts in Wisconsin. Local officials emphasize the critical need for funding to maintain educational quality and infrastructure.