While Tuesday’s debate stokes extra flames onto the Presidential race that has spilled over into other federal and state races, two local school districts will also have measures on the ballot this November. Sevastopol and Washington Island are among the 120 school districts with referendums on their local ballot, accounting for 136 total questions. Approximately 40 percent of the referenda are for capital projects, while the remainder are for the districts to address operational expenses. When the dust settles this November, there will have been almost three times the number of school referendums in 2024 as in 2023. Revenue limits imposed on schools have not kept pace with inflation, and pandemic funding is also set to expire this year. Sevastopol voters will decide if they will let the district exceed the revenue limit for four years for non-recurring purposes by $4.25 million for the 2025-2026 school year, by $4.5 million for the 2026-2027 school year, and $4.75 million for the 2027-2028 and the 2028-2029 school years. Washington Island’s is a recurring referendum asking the voters to exceed the revenue by $995,000. You can find the full questions below. Out of the 103 referendums that have already gone to voters statewide, about 60 percent of them have passed.
Shall the School District of Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $4,250,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $4,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, by $4,750,000 for the 2027-2028 school year and by $4,750,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of maintaining educational programs and paying operational and maintenance expenses?
Sevastopol will have a series of informational meetings about the referendum leading up to the election, including September 12th at 4 p.m., September 24th at 7:30 p.m., and September 30th at 7 p.m. in the Pioneer Room.
Recurring Referenda for the Washington Island School WHEREAS, the School Board of the Washington Island School District in the Town of Washington, Door County, Wisconsin has determined that it is in the best interests of the students of the District to exceed the revenue limit to meet certain facility, equipment, and programming needs of the School District.
