Wausau School District. MWC file photo.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Leaders in the Wausau School District have released a statement following the failure of Tuesday’s $8 million operating referendum.
The question failed with just 49% support during Tuesday’s spring election, with 350 votes separating the options. Leaders turned to a referendum to close a looming budget deficit while maintaining current student programs and course offerings.
The result means the district will need to make some difficult decisions. However, it’s not clear what could be on the chopping block right now. The full statement from Communications and Marketing Coordinator Diana White is below:
The Wausau School District would like to say ‘thank you’ to all of our Wausau community members who participated in the operating referendum discussion throughout the past several months. As we have stated throughout this process, a referendum is a question posed to our broader community for their opinion and direction moving forward. In this circumstance, the majority of eligible voters chose not to approve the requested operational referendum that was placed on the ballot.
With the result of the referendum vote, our current financial situation will require our district to make some difficult decisions moving forward. While no firm decisions have been made, the Wausau School Board, and district leadership, will continue to scrutinize the impact of our financial situation and weigh factors such as staffing reductions, continued deferment of maintenance projects, reductions in funding for activities/athletics, reduction of course offerings, and possible salary freezes, as we determine the best decisions to make that have the least impact on the student, staff, and community experiences.
Again, we would like to thank the community for their consideration of the operational referendum on April 1 and for their continued partnership as we move the District forward. Despite needing to make these difficult decisions, we want the community to know that our district remains committed to providing families, students and staff with excellent experiences and opportunities. We remain extremely proud to be part of our district. A district that has amazing students, staff and families. Even with the challenges we face, we continue to be excited for the future of our district.
Please know that it will remain the goal of the Wausau School District to maintain continued communications in order to keep the community informed, as we analyze and determine our next best steps.
District leaders have said that a no vote may not lead to a lower property tax rate in the future.
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