Wisconsin Schools Put $1.6 Billion Referendums on Ballot
Seventy-two Wisconsin school districts have referendums on the November 3, 2026 ballot seeking funding for their operations.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Seventy-two Wisconsin school districts placed referendums on the November 3, 2026 ballot, totaling $1.6 billion in funding requests. Thirteen of those districts are in Northeast Wisconsin, including the Green Bay and West De Pere districts.
Why it matters
Many districts say school funding has fallen behind inflationary costs due to limited state funding, prompting voters to decide on additional local money. The outcome will shape how districts handle budgets after consolidations and staff reductions.
The Green Bay School District seeks $158 million over four years and receives more than $19,000 per student including federal funding. Voter approval rates were 70% in 2024 and 61.3% for spring referendums, and the fall outcome remains unknown.
The players
Green Bay School District
The Green Bay School District is seeking $158 million over four years and has consolidated schools and reduced staff positions.
West De Pere School District
The West De Pere School District is asking voters to approve $4.9 million annually over five years after cutting its budget by $1.5 million.
Wisconsin Policy Forum
The Wisconsin Policy Forum is a nonpartisan research organization that reported 61.3% of spring 2026 referendums were approved.
The details
The West De Pere School District is asking voters for $4.9 million annually over five years, money that would be moved from its debt services after a $1.5 million budget reduction. Federal funds cannot be used for general operating expenses because they are tied to specific students and purposes.
Timeline
2024: Referendum approval rate was 70%.
Spring 2026: 61.3% of referendums on the ballot were approved.
November 3, 2026: Statewide school referendums appear on the ballot.
Seasonal Patterns
Spring 2026 referendums were approved at 61.3%, down from the 70% rate in 2024 that the Wisconsin Policy Forum tracked. The November vote will show whether that lower spring rate repeats in the fall election.
Wisconsin voters in districts with referendums on the November 3, 2026 ballot will decide whether to approve new local funding for their schools. Voters should review the specific referendum amounts and annual costs listed for their district before the election.
The takeaway
Local school referendums on the November ballot will directly determine how much additional money districts can spend beyond state funding. Voters in affected districts can check their district's specific request before casting a ballot.
What happens next
Voters will decide the seventy-two Wisconsin school referendums on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more on Secondary Education to see how school funding decisions affect Wisconsin districts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLUK.
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