2026 REFERENDUM
On April 7, 2026, the HSSD community will vote on two separate referendum questions: one for operations and one for facilities. Both questions can be completed without increasing the current school district tax rate. This means the plan is tax-rate neutral, which the community told HSSD is important in a community survey.
Question 1: Operational Referendum
Invest in Student Programs, Small Class Sizes, and Staff Compensation
If Question 1 is approved, the district will be able to exceed its revenue limit by $7 million for 7 years.
Additional $2 million per year in both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
$7 million per year for five years once the current operating referendum expires in 2028. Why?
State funding has not kept pace with inflation since revenue limits were put in place in 1993.
HSSD currently ranks the 18th lowest out of 421 Wisconsin districts in per-student funding, meaning it receives less money per student than other districts.
Community feedback since 2018 has consistently highlighted small class sizes and great staff as the top priorities for HSSD.
This continuation of an operational referendum would ensure our commitment to programs and class sizes, along with staff compensation.
Question 2: Facilities Referendum
Invest in Consistent K-6 Schools, High School Career Readiness and Science Upgrades, and Capital Maintenance Needs
If Q2 is approved, the district will be authorized to borrow funds not-to-exceed $147 million to fund facilities improvements in 6 of our 8 schools. Why?
Consistent K-6 schools: Renovations and additions at Howard, Meadowbrook, Suamico, and Lineville schools will address capacity challenges and ensure students have similar opportunities regardless of which school they attend.
Bay Port High School Career Readiness: Expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) spaces to meet student interest in trades, along with renovations to science classrooms and labs and essential capital maintenance for the 25-year-old building.
District-Wide Capital Maintenance: Improvements to boilers, traffic flow, and safety systems.
Proposed Facility Updates
As part of the successful 2021 referendum, Bay View Middle School and Forest Glen Elementary School were renovated. If Q2 is approved, the remaining 6 of our 8 schools would be updated.
Financial Responsibility: A Tax-Rate Neutral Plan
The Board of Education has reduced the tax rate for five years in a row. Today it is $7.69 per $1,000 of equalized property value compared to $9.19 in 2020.
Debt Management: By paying down existing debt faster than required, HSSD has saved nearly $6M in interest and created the borrowing room needed for these new projects without raising the tax rate.
Survey Response: The community demonstrated support for both the operational and facilities referendum questions. More than 88% of survey respondents demonstrated support for consistent K-6 buildings, along with strong preference for capital maintenance, CTE, and science upgrades.
Renovations New Addition
Renovated 2021
Renovated 2021