(The Center Square) – Many of the state’s 137 school funding referenda passed during Tuesday’s election, including more than $600 million for the Madison Metropolitan School District.
A pair of referenda worth $124.4 million for the Wauwatosa School District were also approved, despite concerns about the district’s bookkeeping.
Voters passed a $121 million Sheboygan Area School District referendum to rebuild and remodel Urban and Farnsworth Middle Schools with more than 65% of the vote.
Meanwhile, a pair of referendum combined in value up to $100 million in Sheboygan Falls failed.
And an $89.1 million school referendum in Mukwonago that will fund new construction and renovations at Park View Middle School passed.
The referenda came as school leaders are limited by Wisconsin law on levies that limit how much school districts can take from taxpayers to fund schools, with the formula tied to enrollment.
“Wisconsin families value public education and understand our schools need sustainable funding to keep the lights on and provide a high-quality education to our kids,” Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly said in a statement. “At the same time, they understand this responsibility should not disproportionately fall on local taxpayers.”
The Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty, meanwhile, wrote a report entitled ‘Piercing the Fog’ on how school districts are not transparent in the referendum process as 58% of school referenda passed in 2024 spring elections.
“Using referendums to fund school districts is not going away, but for voters to make smart decisions, they must be armed with all necessary information,” WILL Research Director Will Flanders said along with the report. “Our report highlights the grave transparency concerns that exist in Wisconsin’s current process while outlining policy changes to ensure voters are fully informed.
“Ultimately, with the changes we proposed, referenda can be an important tool for direct democracy when used properly.”
