Wisconsin voters approved 45 of 79 school district referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot, authorizing more than $1.3 billion in new property taxes and debt for public schools. Thirty-four measures failed.
The 79 questions across 72 districts sought approximately $1.6 billion in total. Capital projects for facilities were more likely to pass than recurring or multi-year operating requests, which raise property taxes to cover salaries, benefits, and operating expenses.
Large operating asks that passed included Green Bay’s $158 million non-recurring measure over four years and Middleton-Cross Plains’ $118.5 million increase. Whitefish Bay voters passed a $90 million facilities package after rejecting a $135.6 million proposal earlier in the year. Elmbrook, Greenfield, and Waunakee also approved measures totaling tens of millions.
Failed measures included Bloomer’s $77 million capital request, which received about 65 percent opposition, and Geneva J4’s operating referendum, which lost by a single vote. Pulaski’s $59.8 million facilities measure failed by approximately 127 votes. Oconto Unified, Gillett, Palmyra-Eagle, Hillsboro, and others also rejected additional funding. Several districts were making a second attempt after being turned down in the spring.
These results come amid long-term enrollment declines. Statewide public school enrollment has dropped over 9 percent since 2010-11, while overall staffing has increased by about 7 percent, according to Wisconsin Policy Forum data. Many districts attribute repeated referendums to the state’s revenue limit formula, which has not kept pace with inflation for over a decade. Critics argue that districts continue to add staff and seek ongoing or multi-year tax increases even as student numbers decline and competition from private and charter schools increases.
Official results are still being certified; unofficial tallies from county clerks and local reports indicate a passage rate of about 57 percent, which is lower than rates from a few years ago and similar to the spring 2026 cycle, when 46 of 75 measures passed.
