Southern Door School District officials will spend the next several weeks deciding what needs to stay and what will have to go after its operational referendum failed on Tuesday. Nearly 56 percent of district residents said no to exceeding the state-set revenue limit by $3.15 million each of the next three years to fund school operations. “While we are disappointed in the outcome of the April 7th referendum, we respect the decision of our community members,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Krutzik in a statement following the vote. “We remain dedicated to the goal of educational excellence and will continue to seek ways to provide a high-quality environment for our staff and students despite these financial challenges.” 

Southern Door School District was far from the only one to have its referendum questions fall short with voters. According to Civic Media, 29 referendum questions failed across the state on Tuesday, including those in Oconto, Lena, and Gillett. Two school districts, Butternut and Hustisford, could disappear as a result of their failed referendum votes. One school district that did see their operational referendum pass was Denmark, which had a three year, $925,000  question on the ballot. Kewaunee County’s Town of Franklin, which is in the Denmark School District, approved the measure 75-29.