Green Bay, De Pere, Ashwaubenon voters approve millions in school referendums in 2024 election

Voters in three Green Bay-area school districts approved millions of dollars in referendums on Tuesday.

Green Bay, De Pere and Ashwaubenon all posed questions to taxpayers. Here's what to know as the unofficial results come in.

Green Bay Area School District taxpayers vote on $183 million capital referendum

Results: 42,120 yes (66%), 21,691 no (34%)

Voters in the Green Bay School District overwhelmingly passed the capital referendum

How much? For what? The district asked voters to approve a $183 million capital referendum for renovations related to school closures and boundary changes, as well as safety concerns. It's the district's largest referendum since at least 2000, the oldest records available.

Tax impact: The tax rate would have gone down regardless of whether the referendum passes. With the referendum's passage, the tax rate will decrease from $8.26 per $1,000 of fair market value to $7.65 per $1,000.

Why it's needed: The district is relying on $150 million from the referendum for its school consolidation plan. Some schools need renovations, and Green Bay plans to build a new elementary school on the site of Kennedy Elementary. The other $33 million will go toward securing school entrances and ADA compliance.

Last referendum: Voters approved a $92.6 million referendum for school maintenance, playground upgrades and athletics and auditorium improvements. Those projects are starting to roll out now.

More:The number of Wisconsin school referendums this year is up – way up. Here’s why.

De Pere School District taxpayers voted on $22 million capital referendum

Results: 10,086 yes (66.3%), 5,122 no (33.7%)

How much? For what? A $22 million capital referendum would address critical maintenance in district buildings.

Tax impact: The tax rate would increase regardless of whether the referendum passes. Because it passed, it'll rise from $5.67 per $1,000 of fair market value to $6.85 per $1,000, an increase of over 20%.

Why it's needed: An assessment found De Pere schools needed $1 million in immediate repairs, as well as $5.7 million in repairs within two years and $15.3 million within five. This would address safety concerns, such as secure entrances and emergency communications, and repairs like leaky roofs and building systems issues.

Last referendum: De Pere voters in April approved a $23.75 million operational referendum that maintained district employee salaries and benefits, updated technology and addressed building maintenance. The district originally planned for the November referendum to include funding for a new high school, but it wasn't clear if that proposal had the support to pass.

Ashwaubenon School District voters approve $2.8 million operational referendum

Results: 5,660 yes (64.9%), 3,359 no (35.1%)

How much? For what? A $2.8 million referendum would allow the district to maintain its mental health services, which were originally added as part of a 2020 referendum.

Tax impact: The district tax rate will increase slightly, from the current rate of $6.95 per $1,000 of fair market value to $7.04 per $1,000.

Why it's needed: The district added nine mental health and graduation support workers with the passage of a 2020 referendum. It credits those mental health efforts with the fact that fewer students reported anxiety, depression and self-harm in 2023 than in 2021, according to state Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. That funding expires in 2025; now that this referendum was approved, the district will be able to continue funding through the 2027-28 school year.

Last referendum: Ashwaubenon voters approved a $19.5 million operational referendum in April 2023 that prevented the district from laying off teachers and staff, as well as supporting extracurriculars and technology services.

Contact Green Bay education reporter Nadia Scharf at[email protected] or on X at @nadiaascharf.