MILWAUKEE — When Wisconsin voters headed to the ballot box on Tuesday, many were faced with referendum questions about funding school projects.
All in all, voters in the April election were deciding on upwards of $1.2 billion in school funding, according to WisPolitics. Many districts hoped to borrow tens of millions for new buildings, renovations or other facility upgrades.
Check the results of some of the state’s key referendums here.
West Allis-West Milwaukee Obligation Bonds Referendum
The West Allis-West Milwaukee School District had the priciest referendum on the ballot, requesting approval for nearly $150 million in bond funding.
The funds would be used to consolidate the district’s two high schools — Central and Nathan Hale — into a single facility on the Hale site. Some district officials said the aging buildings were becoming difficult to maintain.
“They’re old, and the infrastructure is starting to wear out,” district manager of facilities Steve Eichman told Spectrum News.
The referendum failed, with around 59% of voters casting their ballots against it, according to AP results.
Wausau School District Bond Referendum
The Wausau School District asked voters to approve around $120 million for various projects.
The proposed updates included remodeling all middle and high schools and making improvements to safety and security. The funding would also be used to create a new School Forest Environmental Learning Center and build additions at certain schools.
The referendum passed with around 60% of votes in favor, according to Marathon County election results.
Nicolet Union High School District Obligation Bonds Referendum
The Nicolet Union High School District requested approval for $77.4 million in bond funding for school updates.
The funds would be used to make a range of updates, including classroom renovations and improvements for safety, security and accessibility. The district also hoped to add new athletic spaces, including a multipurpose stadium, new tennis courts and a turf practice field.
The referendum passed with around 57% of votes in favor, according to AP results.
Fox Point J2 School District Obligation Bonds Referendum
The Fox Point-Bayside School district requested voters to approve $58.5 million in bond funding.
The funds would be focused on two schools: Bayside Middle School and Stormonth Elementary School. The board proposed building a new middle school on the existing Bayside site and tearing down the old building — as well as making critical capital improvements at Stormonth.
The referendum passed with around 55% of voters in favor, according to AP results.
Oconto Falls School District Referendum
The Oconto Falls Public School District requested approval for $49.9 million in bond funding for a new middle school and other updates.
The funding would be used to construct a new school to replace Washington Middle School, which officials said was showing its age. Other proposed projects included a new elementary school cafeteria, securing school entrances and addressing deferred maintenance projects.
The referendum failed with around 56% of voters against, according to information from the Oconto County Clerk.
Hayward Community School District Referendum
The Hayward Community School District requested approval for $49.7 million in bond funding for various school improvement projects.
The funds would be used for projects like classroom renovations, security upgrades and new technology across the district. The board also proposed adding a gym in the primary school and expanding fitness areas at the high school.
The referendum passed with around 66% of voters in favor, according to the district.
Winneconne Community School District Referendum
The Winneconne Community School District requested approval for $47.8 million in bond funding for school facility improvements.
Funds would go toward security upgrades, capital maintenance projects and site improvements across the district. Much of the funding would be focused on a renovation and expansion for the middle school.
The referendum failed, according to the school district.
Muskego-Norway School District Obligation Bonds Referendum
The Muskego-Norway School District requested approval on two different funding questions.
The first involved $27.8 million in bond funding, largely focused on two projects. The funds would add on STEAM and technical education areas at the high school. They would also expand a gymnasium at the elementary school and convert the current gymnasium to a cafeteria.
The first referendum passed, with around 61% of voters in favor, according to AP results.
The second referendum question involved $16.8 million in funding. The money would be used to build an indoor practice facility as well as medical and health sciences areas at the high school.
This referendum also passed, with around 54% of voters in favor, according to AP results.
Amery School District I Obligation Bonds Referendum
The School District of Amery requested approval for school funding in two separate referendum questions.
The first referendum involved $35 million in bond funding. The funds would go toward increasing school safety and security, addressing structural repairs and improving accessibility and sustainability. Projects would take place across the district, but especially focused on the high school and elementary school.
The referendum passed with around 56% of votes in favor, according to the district.
A second referendum requested approval for $8.5 million in funding, focused on elementary school renovations and expansions including upgrades to the school’s Early Learning Center.
This referendum also passed, with 56% of votes in favor, according to the district.
Menominee Indian School District Referendum
The Menominee Indian School District requested approval for $35 million in bond funding to build a new high school and take on other improvement projects.
The funds would be used to construct a new high school and move the middle school into the current high school site. Funding would also help expand and upgrade the primary school.
The referendum passed, with around 73% of voters in favor, according to the district.
Saint Croix Central School District Referendum Question 2
The Saint Croix Central School District requested approval for $30 million in bond funding for improvement projects across its schools.
High school projects would include adding spaces for career and technical education, as well as renovating the track and field. Funds would also add 4K classrooms at the elementary school and upgrade HVAC systems across the district.
The referendum passed, with 62% of voters in favor, according to St. Croix County results.
Medford Area Public School District General Obligation Bonds Referendum
The Medford Area Public School District requested approval for $29.9 million in bond funding to expand and improve schools.
Funds would be used to construct a secure entry and office, add classroom spaces and make other renovations to the high school. The proposal also included maintenance and site improvements, including accessibility updates, across the district.
The referendum failed, with 65% of voters against, according to Taylor County results.
Rosendale-Brandon School Referendum
The School District of Rosendale-Brandon requested approval for $29.8 million in bond funding for a new school building and other improvement projects.
The board’s proposed plan would close Rosendale Primary School and convert Laconia High School into a joint middle and high school site. Funds would also support safety, security and infrastructure upgrades across the district.
The referendum failed, with 55% of voters against, according to county election results.
Tomorrow River School District Referendum
The Tomorrow River School District requested approval on two referendum questions adding up to $25.7 million in funding.
The first referendum involved $21.3 million in funding to improve facilities across the district. The proposal included expanding classroom spaces for science, technology, art and agricultural science, as well as other infrastructure and security upgrades.
This referendum passed, with 59% of votes in favor, according to county election results.
A second referendum requested approval for $4.4 million in funding that would focus on improvements to the middle school, including upgrades to classrooms and library spaces.
The second referendum also passed, with 62% of voters in favor, according to county election results.
Cedar Grove-Belgium Area School District Referendum
The Cedar Grove-Belgium Area School District requested approval for $21.5 million in bond funding for facility improvements.
The funds would be used for various updates to the elementary and middle schools — including system renovations, a new traffic flow and a music room. The high school would also get funding for infrastructure upgrades and other projects.
The referendum passed, with around 65% of voters in favor, according to AP results.
Ladysmith School District Obligation Bonds Referendum
The School District of Ladysmith requested approval for $21 million in bond funding for a district-wide facility improvement project.
Funds would be used for safety and security improvements, infrastructure updates and classroom remodels. The board also proposed expanding the gymnasium.
The referendum passed, with around 59% of votes in favor, according to Rusk County election results.
City of Ashland Legalization of Cannabis Referendum
As debates continue across the country on whether marijuana should be legalized, Ashland residents shared their opinions on the issue at the ballot box.
The advisory referendum was designed to give local officials a sense of their community’s stance. Voters were given three options: Legalizing and taxing cannabis for those 21 and up, allowing it for medical purposes only or keeping it banned as an illegal drug.
If legalized for recreational use, cannabis would be taxed and regulated like alcohol, the referendum stated. Proceeds from taxing marijuana would go toward “education, healthcare, addiction recovery services, and infrastructure in Wisconsin,” the referendum said.
The first option — making cannabis legal for recreational or medical use — received the most votes, with around 60% of voters in favor, according to the city clerk’s office.