Wisconsin Education NewsApril 3, 2025The cries for playing and hosting sports contests in season and out is common among Bay-Area sports fans. But the challenge to find officials to manage these games is real, according to Brian Miller, athletic director for the Ashland School District. Miller and others across the State of Wisconsin — and beyond — regularly ring out that more officials are needed to ensure games can be played. FDL School District and Education Association’s response to referendum being voted down The Fond du Lac School District has released a statement in response to their $40 million referendum being voted down on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in the Spring General Election. On April 1, Fond du Lac School District voters did not support an operational referendum to authorize the District to exceed the revenue limit by $10,000,000 per year for four years for non-recurring purposes. The “unofficial result” for the referendum question was 9,617 No to 8,452 Yes. Parkview to begin 'what's next' discussion Monday ORFORDVILLE — Voters in the Parkview School District rejected a requested tax increase for the fourth straight year Tuesday. The Parkview School Board approved asking voters for an additional $750,000 a year for two years. It was a smaller ask than the previous three years. The hope was a reduced amount would gain voter support. The request was voted down by 54.1% of voters. 'Tough decisions' coming for School District of Beloit BELOIT — School District of Beloit Board of Education President Tia Johnson was both elated and frustrated by Tuesday’s vote on a $40.25 million referendum. A year after the district’s referendum was supported by just 40.5% of voters, Tuesday night 49.2% voted yes for this year’s request. The referendum failed by just 141 votes out of 8,743 ballots cast. It marked the third straight April that voters rejected a Beloit School District referendum. Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District postpones changing boundary lines CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) - We are following up with the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District as it considers changing its Elementary School boundary lines. The School Board held a special session on the matter Wednesday night. Tuesday’s Fond du Lac-area election results lead to school board changes, failed referendums Four local school districts presented operational referendums for the spring election: Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield and Waupun. Salem School District statement after failed referendum The Salem School District issued the following news release after voters defeated its $2 million per year for the next three years operational referendum in Tuesday’s election: Silver Lake-Salem Jt 1 School District (Riverview School) issues post referendum passage statement Silver Lake-Salem Jt 1 School District (Riverview School) issued the following statement after the passage of its capital referendum in Tuesday’s Election: Lake Holcombe School Board - If you have a resource available, why not use it? “We’ve been tossing this idea around for quite a few years.” That’s what Lake Holcombe tech ed instructor Andy Lorenzen said, March 24, at the monthly board meeting, about a proposed sawmill he and ag instructor Kent Dorney would like to purchase. After touring the Prescott School District and seeing their sawmill operation, the two Lake Holcombe teachers know something like that is in their grasp. Slapping a band-aid on it just isn’t working anymore On the outside, the Cornell Middle/High School building looks perfectly fine, but once you delve farther than the gym, commons and bathrooms adjoining that, it’s easy to see that something has to be done. Therefore, the district engaged the services of CESA 10, to conduct a facility audit, showing just exactly what work is needed. Going off of their findings, CESA reported what the biggest needs are, March 24, which includes sanitary and domestic water piping. Cornell School Board - Student Council programs are going strong There’s always something going on with the Student Councils at Cornell, both in the elementary and high school. This February, for example, the elementary Student Council collected pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Through their efforts, they raised $192, with the winning class the kindergartners, who get to have an ice cream sundae party. Marshall School District voters pass $5.355 million capital projects referendum Voters in the Marshall School District approved a $5.355 million referendum for capital improvements in Tuesday’s elections. In January, the school board approved resolutions for facility work that includes roof and window replacements at Marshall Elementary School, along with other projects, such as installing safe and secure school entrances across the district, and capital maintenance improvements, plus purchases of fixtures, furnishings and equipment. Arrowhead referendum; voters reject $136.2M plan for school upgrades HARTLAND, Wis. - For the second time in less than a year, voters in Waukesha County rejected a referendum to make major upgrades at Arrowhead High School in Hartland. Whitewater Unified School District voters approve $30 million capital referendum Voters in the Whitewater Unified School District approve a capital referendum. The district asked for $30 million Tuesday night to fund a bevy of facilities improvements across the district. (CNN) — A few months ago, a test revealed that a child in Milwaukee had elevated levels of lead in their blood. The results triggered an investigation into the family’s home, then the child’s school and then dozens more aging school buildings still riddled with lead paint. With 68,000 students in the Milwaukee Public Schools district and dozens of buildings potentially affected, the city’s health commissioner, Dr. Michael Totoraitis, knew that he needed more help, so he reached out to the National Center for Environmental Health, a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make a plan to address the threat. State superintendent, northeast Wisconsin school leaders call for K-12 funding boost in next budget The state superintendent and education officials in northeast Wisconsin are calling on the Republican-controlled Legislature to boost funding to K-12 schools in the next two-year state budget. State Superintendent Jill Underly, as well as school district leaders from Green Bay, Hortonville and Howard-Suamico, attended a budget listening session Wednesday at Kaukauna High School. Wausau School Leaders Release Statement on Referendum Result WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Leaders in the Wausau School District have released a statement following the failure of Tuesday’s $8 million operating referendum. 4 Wisconsin districts aim to craft schools for students in recovery Norris School District is the smallest in Wisconsin. Located in Mukwonago, the majority of its students have a disability, have been entangled with the justice system or both. Eighty-nine percent of students are at risk of not graduating. The district prides itself on providing personalized plans for each and every student and catering to students with high needs. And now, it wants to create services for students coping with substance use disorder. Sheboygan Falls school district referendum fails after corrected election results error SHEBOYGAN COUNTY – The School District of Sheboygan Falls' $70 million referendum did not pass and was inaccurately reported that it did in Sheboygan County unofficial election results, a "human error" that was noticed after results were posted April 1. Wausau School District to make ‘difficult decisions’ following failed referendum WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - After voters did not approve an operational referendum on the April 1 ballot, the Wausau School District superintendent said the district’s financial situation will force them “to make some difficult decisions”. Voters said no to a five-year, nonrecurring operational referendum. It would have allowed the Wausau School District to exceed its revenue limit by $8 million per year through the 2029-30 school year. NG School District ranks among state’s top NEW GLARUS — The New Glarus School District continues to demonstrate strong results in student achievement, growth, and financial stewardship, according to the latest ECRA report analyzing Wisconsin school district performance for the 2023-2024 academic year. School District of Arcadia releases statement after operational referendum fails ARCADIA, Wis. (WEAU) - The School District of Arcadia is releasing a statement after an operational referendum on the April 1, 2025, spring election ballot did not pass. The non-recurring operational referendum asked voters if the district should receive $3.75 million over 4 years. DPI chief Jill Underly won a second term. What does state superintendent do? Wisconsin voters elected State Superintendent Jill Underly to a second term in the spring 2025 election. Underly, a Democrat, defeated her Republican-backed opponent, education consultant Brittany Kinser. She drew 53% of the votes to Kinser's 47%, according to unofficial results. With referendum passage, Oshkosh schools can proceed with phase two of facilities plan OSHKOSH – The community was split down the middle on the Oshkosh Area School District’s facilities plan. The $197.8 million referendum passed with a slim 50.9% of the vote during Tuesday’s spring election. Holmen one of several area districts whose voters turned down referendum questions Stating that there are “tough and challenging times ahead”, the Holmen School District’s next step is figuring out what’s next after voters reject a $19.25 million referendum on Tuesday. Holmen District Administrator Kris Mueller released a statement on Wednesday to staff plus families in the district discussing what lies ahead for the district. REFERENDUM UPDATE: Three Lakes School District emphatically approve $20 referendum for improvements Voters emphatically approved a $20 million Three Lakes School District referendum question Tuesday to make dramatic updates to facilities and buildings in the district. Both questions for the Three Lakes District was approved nearly identically with about 64% approving the $20 million of improvements. KAUKAUNA — After her reelection by Wisconsin voters, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly delivered a powerful message about the urgent need for adequate funding for public schools and libraries during testimony today before the Joint Committee on Finance at its first “Budget Listening Session.” Watch: Cedarburg students find community through unified basketball team CEDARBURG, Wis. — A basketball team at Cedarburg High School is finding success both on and off the court. The Cedarburg Unified basketball team brings together students with and without disabilities to play on the same court. It’s a re-tooled type of Special Olympics basketball now becoming popular across the country. Team leaders said it is the first such program in Ozaukee County.
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