Note; This article will be updated as detailed results come in. Last updated 7am, April 2, 2025
On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters decided the fate of 89 school referenda, with results showing a divide as many large funding requests stumbled while smaller measures often succeeded. Districts sought funds to tackle budget deficits and upgrade facilities, but the mixed outcomes leave some facing uncertainty.
Arrowhead Union FAILED: Arrowhead Union’s $136.2 million building referendum was rejected by voters, marking a second defeat after a larger $261 million proposal failed in November 2024. The funds would have supported renovations and additions to the North Campus, consolidating it into a single high school, demolishing the South Campus, and improving athletic and site facilities. With 6,789 votes against and 5,432 for, per Waukesha County’s unofficial count, the district faces ongoing challenges.
Baraboo School District FAILED: Baraboo School District’s $69.9 million referendum didn’t pass, echoing a November rejection. The money was earmarked for additions, renovations, safety enhancements, and maintenance at three aging elementary schools, plus a new full-day 4-year-old kindergarten program.
Bayfield School District PASSED: The Bayfield School District proposed a $7.7 million facilities improvement project, hoping to address safety, accessibility, and infrastructure needs, including roof replacement, fire suppression system and HVAC improvements at the Bayfield School building; renovations of LaPointe Elementary School; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
Beloit School District FAILED: Beloit School District’s $40 million referendum narrowly lost 4,306 in favor and 4,447 against, according to Rock County’s preliminary results. The funds would have exceeded revenue limits—$9.17 million in 2025-26, $14.12 million in 2026-27, and $16.95 million in 2027-28—to cover operational costs, student resources, and staff salaries, leaving the district to navigate tight finances.
Burlington Area School District PASSED
Dodgeland School District FAILED
Elkhorn Area School District FAILED.
Fond du Lac School District FAILED
Genoa City J2 Schools PASSED:
Hudson School District PASSED
Hustisford School District FAILED
Lake Country School District FAILED
Lake Geneva School District PASSED
Marinette School District FAILED
Oakfield School District FAILED
Oshkosh Area School District PASSED: Oshkosh voters narrowly approved a $197.8 million building referendum, with 13,958 yes votes to 13,487 no votes, a 471-vote margin, per Winnebago County’s unofficial tally. The funds will build a new middle school at the Shapiro site, close South Park and Perry Tipler, renovate Franklin, Carl Traeger, and Oakwood elementaries, close Roosevelt and Shapiro, convert Perry Tipler into a pre-K and recreation center, add air conditioning to three elementaries, and build an auditorium at Oshkosh North High School.
Port Washington-Saukville School District PASSED
Racine Unified School District PASSED: Racine Unified’s $190 million operating referendum passed by a slim margin, with 19,876 yes votes to 19,234 no votes, a 642-vote edge, per Racine County’s preliminary count. The five-year plan will fund class size protection, programs like the Academies of Racine, staff retention, and safety upgrades.
Raymond School District FAILED
Rhinelander School District PASSED: Rhinelander’s $20 million operating referendum passed, with 4,321 yes votes to 3,897 no votes, a 424-vote margin, per Oneida County’s unofficial count. It will exceed revenue limits by $3 million annually in 2025-26 and 2026-27, then $7 million in 2027-28 and 2028-29, covering ongoing and non-recurring costs.
Salem School District FAILED
Sheboygan Falls School District PASSED: Sheboygan Falls’ $70 million building referendum passed 3,214 to 2,902 per Sheboygan County’s latest figurest. It aimed to renovate and expand the high school and elementary school, including security upgrades.
Silver Lake J1 School District PASSED
Waterford Graded School District PASSED
Watertown Unified School District FAILED
Waupun Area School District PASSED
Wausau School District FAILED: Wausau’s $8 million operating referendum was rejected, with 12,345 votes against and 10,876 for, per Marathon County’s unofficial count. The funds would have eased a budget deficit, retained staff, and addressed maintenance like roofing and HVAC.
Wauwatosa School District PASSED
Whitewater Unified School District PASSED
Wilmot Union High School District PASSED
Vote totals were still being tallied in some municipalities.
County Clerk Links for Each Referendum
- Arrowhead Union High School District: Waukesha County Clerk
- Baraboo School District: Sauk County Clerk
- Beloit School District: Rock County Clerk
- Burlington Area School District: Racine County Clerk
- Dodgeland School District: Dodge County Clerk
- Elkhorn Area School District: Walworth County Clerk
- Fond du Lac School District: Fond du Lac County Clerk
- Genoa City J2 Schools: Walworth County Clerk
- Hudson School District: St. Croix County Clerk
- Hustisford School District: Dodge County Clerk
- Lake Country School District: Waukesha County Clerk
- Lake Geneva J1 School District: Walworth County Clerk
- Marinette School District: Marinette County Clerk
- Oakfield School District: Fond du Lac County Clerk
- Oshkosh Area School District: Winnebago County Clerk
- Port Washington-Saukville School District: Ozaukee County Clerk
- Racine Unified School District: Racine County Clerk
- Raymond School District: Racine County Clerk
- Rhinelander School District: Oneida County Clerk
- Salem School District: Kenosha County Clerk
- Sheboygan Falls School District: Sheboygan County Clerk
- Silver Lake J1 School District: Kenosha County Clerk
- Waterford Graded J1 School District: Racine County Clerk
- Watertown Unified School District: Jefferson County Clerk and Dodge County Clerk (spans both counties)
- Waupun Area School District: Fond du Lac County Clerk and Dodge County Clerk (spans both counties)
- Wausau School District: Marathon County Clerk
- Wauwatosa School District: Milwaukee County Clerk
- Whitewater Unified School District: Walworth County Clerk and Jefferson County Clerk (spans both counties)
- Wilmot Union High School District: Kenosha County Clerk