A district may initiate a referendum to exceed its revenue limit without issuing new debt. These are referred to as “operating referenda.” An operating referendum pays for things such as utilities, routine maintenance, salaries and benefits of all staff, insurance, supplies, etc.

New Auburn is seeking an operating referendum.

Shall the School District of New Auburn, Chippewa, Barron and Rusk Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $750,000 per year for five years, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and ending with the 2029-2030 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including for staff compensation, maintaining programs and services, and ongoing building maintenance?

• The DPI leads a process over years to divide students into neighboring districts, many would likely go to Bloomer, Chetek and Lake Holcombe

• Your taxes would likely remain relatively the same as you would then pay the school taxes to the new district

• Prairie Farm has an $850,000 operating referendum

• Lake Holcombe currently has an $875,000 operating referendum and will likely seek a higher amount this April

• White Lake a district with 186 students just passed a $1.1 million operating referendum