Understanding your ballot question: Superior Schools Referendum

As voters in Superior head to the polls on Election Day, one question they will be asked on their ballot is in regard to the Superior School Districts’ operational referendum.

In 1993, the state of Wisconsin placed a cap on the amount of revenue that a school district can receive from local property taxpayers. This cap has not kept pace with yearly inflation, meaning expenses have risen higher than the money received by school districts.

The Superior School District seeks a property tax increase to help fund the schools after having to close one school and let go of over 50 members of staff. The referendum seeks to increase property taxes on homes that are worth $200,000 by $14 per year for the first two years, $54 in year three, $108 in year four and $158 in year five. 

The question on the Superior ballot reads: Shall the School District of Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,500,000 per year for the 2024-2025 school year and the 2025-2026 school year, by $3,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, by $4,500,000 for the 2027-2028 school year and by $5,500,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including for educational programming, facility maintenance and security updates?

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Superior School administration gives insight into November’s referendum question – WDIO.com
Superior School Board votes to add referendum to November ballot – WDIO.com
Superior School District will not renew 25 teacher postions – WDIO.com
Wisconsin’s education workforce struggling to retain teachers – WDIO.com

For more information, go to https://superior.k12.wi.us/referendum2024