School referendum results from Southwest Wisconsin Districts

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis (WRCO / WRCE) – This article will also include school board election results from our area.

It was close, but the River Valley School referendum passed. The district asked residents to approve exceeding the revenue limit by $4,150,000 for the 2025-26 school year, $4,750,000 for the 2026-27 school year, and $5.2 million for the 2027-28 school year for non-recurring purposes consisting of paying the costs of maintaining educational programs and maintenance of the District. Voters approved the referendum 50.4% to 49.6%, or 2,275 votes to 2,238. A difference of only 37 votes.

In an even closer race, residents approved a referendum for the Riverdale School District. Voters approved an operational referendum to exceed the revenue limit to pay operating expenses by $767,500 for the 2025-26 school year, $767,500 for the 2026-27 school year, and by $1,155,000 per year beginning with the 2027-28 school year and ending with the 2029-30 school year, for non-recurring purposes to maintain instructional programs, staffing, technology, transportation and facilities management. The tax impact per $100,000 of assessed property will be an increase of $106 or $8.83 per month. The referendum passed by only 13 votes. 891 in favor to 878 against.

The Weston School District’s Operational Referendum to exceed the revenue limit by $1.5 million per year for three years beginning with the 2025-26 school year and ending with the 2027-28 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of ongoing operational expenses, including educational programming failed 53% to 47%. There were 479 no votes cast to 424 yes votes.

The Viroqua School District referendum requesting to exceed the revenue limit by $2.6 million over two years passed with 2,244 yes votes to 1,615 votes.

Residents of the New Lisbon School District approved a referendum question 868 to 844.

Voters in the Baraboo School District said no to a capital referendum. The district was asking for $69.9 million to address elementary facilities needs, including renovating and expanding Al Behrman, East, and Gordon L. Willson Elementary schools. The referendum would also enhance safety and security at elementary buildings and fund high-priority capital maintenance projects such as boiler replacements, plumbing upgrades, and electrical system improvements; as well as support the district’s new full-day 4-year-old kindergarten program. The referendum failed 1,851 to 1,422.

The Baraboo School District also had four people vying for two seats on the school board. Unofficially, Karen Nelson and Ken Ziegler were voted in with 1,512 and 1,458 votes respectively. Elanor Elain Vita received 1,051 votes and Kevin Vodak received 1,013.

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News story author Adam D. Hess is an employee of the Ithaca School District, WRCO FM, and Civic Media.

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