Wisconsin voters OK more than $1B in school construction projects

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MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin voters decided on dozens of school district referendums on Tuesday, including approval for the $252 million Milwaukee Public Schools referendum. More than 90 school district referendums asked for $1.3 billion in repairs and renovation projects.

In Milwaukee, the MPS referendum was more than 51% of the vote and passed Tuesday night. The referendum aims to stop budget cuts to schools but is estimated to raise property taxes. The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Greater Milwaukee Foundation were both openly against the proposal.

The referendum would allow MPS to raise its revenue limit by $252 million phased in over four years, MPS officials said. The district will exceed the revenue limit by $140 million for the 2024-25 school year. The estimated increase in property taxes would be $216 per $100,000 of assessed property value in the first year, but taxes for the school district would remain flat after.

Keith Posley, superintendent of MPS, said on average schools will have 10.7% more in their budget next school year. He thanked voters in a statement.

“We do not take your decision lightly. Your support means every school in our district will receive more direct funding to classrooms; and programs like art, music, physical education, library services, and career and technical education will remain intact.” Posley added.

The referendum had support from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who were both re-elected on Tuesday.

The day after the election, MMAC officials in a statement said MPS’ plan must be “transparent and bold.”

“The status quo is unacceptable and a strategic plan to better equip MPS students for the workforce of tomorrow is essential. Our community, its families and, most importantly, our children deserve public schools that set students up to succeed,” officials added.

Additional referendums that passed included the New Richmond School District for $113.7 million, the Freedom Area School District for $62.5 million, the Shawano School District for $54.5 million and the Drummond Area School District for $29.9 million.

Voters turned down a $102.3 million referendum from the Mukwonago School District, which would have been used to build a new middle school.

In Freedom, the school district called for additions and renovations to its middle school. The school was first built in 1941 and updated several times between 1956 and 2022, and officials said major building systems need new components and classrooms need to be updated. The elementary school is also over capacity, officials added.