Wisconsin Education NewsApril 8, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. WISCONSIN — Voters in the Howard-Suamico School District approved both referendum questions in the April election on Tuesday. The $7 million operational referendum passed with 55.5% of the vote, and a $147 million capital referendum passed with 53.4% of the vote. Funds from the operational referendum will help continue lower class sizes and maintain existing programs and services for students. Funds from the capital referendum will allow the district to renovate and increase space at several schools. Wisconsinites voted on 75 school referenda. Here’s what did and didn’t pass WISCONSIN — There were about 75 total school referenda on the ballot for the April 7 election in Wisconsin. Across some of the larger school referendums, voters were split on whether to pass them. Here’s a look at what passed and what failed among those bigger asks: Fond du Lac voters turn down $30 million school referendum FOND DU LAC (WLUK) -- Voters in the Fond du Lac school district have narrowly rejected a $30 million school referendum. The vote failed by a 6,599-6,396 margin, according to unofficial results. Appleton voters pass $60 million school referendum APPLETON (WLUK) -- By a 2-1 margin, Appleton school district voters have passed a $60 million referendum. The district is facing a $13 million annual deficit. According to the district, this referendum will make sure that the current staffing is maintained. The district also plans to add a few counselors and social workers. Gilmanton School District passes 2026 Operational Referendum GILMANTON, Wis. (WQOW) – The Gilmanton School District asked voters in Tuesday's election to approve of a $475,000 recurring Operational Referendum to sustain programming, facilities, and equipment. Gilman School District Referendum fails after close vote GILMAN, Wis, (WQOW) – Gilman School District asked voters in Tuesday's election to approve of a $700,000 per year for four years referendum to replace the $900,000 per year referendum approved in 2022 that expired in 2025. Lake Country School district $800K operational referendum approved HARTLAND — Voters determined a school district’s fate on April 7. The Lake Country School District operational referendum was approved. The referendum will allow the district to exceed the state-imposed revenue limit by $800,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2026-27 school year and ending in 2029-30. There were 1,172 votes for yes or 64.1% and 655 votes for no or 35.9%. Pair of local school referendums narrowly pass, including Butternut by a single vote (WJFW) — Crandon and Butternut School Districts had their referendums pass by narrow margins, including Butternut's passing by a single vote. Butternut passed by a 281-280 count while Crandon passed by fewer than 20 votes. Crandon's school referendum was passed 908-889 after failing last year. Dodgeland Voters Pass School Referendum (JUNEAU) Dodgeland School District voters have approved exceeding state-imposed spending limits by $700,000 per year for four years in order to maintain current staffing and program levels. Eleva-Strum School District passes 2026 Operational Referendum STRUM, Wis. (WQOW) – In Wisconsin's April 7 election, the Eleva-Strum School District asked voters to approve of an Operational Referendum that would allow the district to exceed revenue limits by $600,000 each year for the next three school years. WI Rapids Public School District voters narrowly approve referendum WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Voters in the Wisconsin Rapids Public School District on April 7 narrowly approved a five-year $19 million non-recurring referendum that would increase the district's tax levy by $3.8 million during the five school years between 2026-27 and 2030-31. Fall Creek School District passes $24.8 million referendum for building expansion project FALL CREEK, Wis. (WQOW) – In Wisconsin's April 7 election, the Fall Creek School District asked voters to approve of a referendum for a building expansion project totaling $24.8 million over 20 years. The referendum passed on a vote of 810 in favor to 524 against. Crandon School District referendum passes in Forest County Voters within the School District of Crandon approved an operational district. The district asked voters if they approved increasing the revenue limit by $1.25 million for the next three years to help cover operational costs. Whitefish Bay voters reject a $135 million school referendum, leaving the district to reassess plans Voters in Whitefish Bay rejected a $135 million school referendum by a 300-vote margin. The measure failed with 52% voting no and 48% voting yes. The Whitefish Bay School District will now reassess its plans and move forward without the new funding. Altoona School District's $15.6 million referendum passes ALTOONA, Wis. (WQOW) – In Wisconsin's April 7 election, the Altoona School District was asking voters for a $15.6 million referendum to repair and improve district facilities. Cornell School District passes $15 million referendum for building expansion CORNELL, Wis. (WQOW) – The Cornell School District asked voters in Tuesday's election to approve of a $15 million referendum for a building expansion and repair project. Melrose-Mindoro School District passes first Operational Referendum since 2011 MELROSE, Wis. (WXOW) – The School District of Melrose-Mindoro has passed its 2026 Operational Referendum on a vote of 867 in favor to 603 against. Spring Election: Brillion School District referendum fails BRILLION – Electorates in the Brillion School District voted against the operational referendum in Tuesday’s spring election. The unofficial count was 1,064 (56.5%) against the referendum and 816 in favor of it. The numbers will become official once votes are canvassed. A turnaround for the Holmen school district, a full year after voters there narrowly rejected a school funding measure. On Tuesday, a funding referendum for the Holmen schools passed, with unofficial results showing 4041 yes votes to 2746 no. As a result, the Holmen district will be allowed to exceed revenue limits, getting an extra $4.5 million for each of the next five years, to help pay for operations. Sparta Area School District's 2026 Operational Referendum fails SPARTA, Wis. (WXOW) – The Sparta Area School District's 2026 Operational Referendum has failed on a vote of 1,895 in favor to 2,148 against. Augusta Area School District's 2026 operational referendum fails AUGUSTA, Wis. (WQOW) – The Augusta Area School District asked voters to approve of an operational referendum that would authorize the district to exceed revenue limits by $375,000 for the next two school years. Spring election 2026: Wheatland J1 School District referendum results Voters in the Wheatland J1 School District had an operating referendum on the spring election on April 7. The school district was seeking authority to exceed to exceed the revenue limit by $400,000 per year, for the 2026-2027 school year through the 2029-2030 school year, for non-recurring purposes. Waterloo voters approve operating referendum Waterloo voters approved a referendum that will continue operating funds for the school district recurrently. On the April 7 ballot, the school district asked voters to renew the operating referendum from 2023 at $590,000 per year to continue. Initial results from Jefferson County indicated that 55% of voters voted in favor of the referendum, and 45% voted no. ECASD to cut teaching staff facing $10.5M budget deficit EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - The Eau Claire Area School District is beginning the process of cutting teacher staffing while facing a budget deficit of over $10 million next school year. The school board approved giving preliminary notice to 20 staff members it is beginning the process of reducing or cutting their positions. Grant Elementary Sold to Private Group WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau School District has announced the sale of Grant Elementary, about six months after a previous deal for the property fell apart. Grant School LLC, a private company that is not affiliated with the district, bought the building for $555,000. The sale closed on March 30th, according to a release from the district. Raymond School Board gets first look at 26/27 budget Raymond School District‘s 2026-27 budget is taking shape, but Business Manager Jeff Genovese cautioned the school board at its April 6 workshop that many figures remain subject to change because revenue, including state equalization aid and enrollment counts, won’t be finalized until fall. “It’s a fluid process,” Genovese told the board. “As much as people think it should be locked in, it should be static, anyone that’s worked with budgets and businesses knows that things change.” Chippewa Falls School District learns about mental health education CHIPPEWA FALLS (WQOW) - Mental health issues can impact many people, and may lead to dangerous situations. Because of this — the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District is working to reduce the risk of encountering one. The district attended a two-day training starting on Thursday in Chippewa Falls about handling a crisis and suicide prevention training. Two Rivers Students Visit the Czech Republic in Sister City Exchange Thirteen students and teachers from Two Rivers High School traveled to Domažlice last month for the sixth student exchange between the sister cities. This continues a long-standing tradition of cultural connection between the historically linked cities. City of La Crosse and school board survey interest in new northside pool facility LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The City of La Crosse seeks public input on a proposed $33 million indoor pool facility that would serve both recreational and competitive swimming needs on the city's north side. The City of La Crosse, La Crosse School District, and YMCA have partnered to develop the referendum proposal. If approved by voters, the project would cost property owners approximately $36 annually per $100,000 of assessed property value. Spring election results: Voters pass WUSD referendum WATERTOWN — City voters answered yes to the Watertown Unified School District's referendum question.
|