Understanding Your Voting Question: Higher School Referendum

When Superior voters go to the polls on Election Day, one question they will be asked on their ballot will concern the Superior School Districts operational referendum.

In 1993, the state of Wisconsin placed a limit on the amount of revenue a school district can receive from local taxpayers. This cap has not kept pace with annual inflation, meaning spending has risen more than the money school districts receive.

The Superior School District wants a property tax increase to help fund its schools after closing one school and letting go of more than 50 staff members. The referendum seeks to increase property taxes on homes valued at $200,000 by $14 per year for the first two years, $54 in year three, $108 in year four and $158 in year five.

The question on the Superior ballot reads: Shall the Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin School District be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,500,000 per year for the 2024-2025 school year and the 2025-2026 school year, by $3,500,000 for the 2026 school year -2027 school year, with $4,500,000 for the 2027-2028 school year and with $5,500,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, for one-time purposes consisting of operations and maintenance costs, including for educational programming, facility maintenance and security updates?

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Superior School Board Provides Insight on November Referendum Question – WDIO.com
Superior School Board votes to add referendum to November ballot – WDIO.com
Superior School District will not renew 25 teacher positions – WDIO.com
Wisconsin education workforce struggles to retain teachers – WDIO.com

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