APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — By a 2-1 margin, Appleton school district voters have passed a $60 million referendum.
The district is facing a $13 million annual deficit.
According to the district, this referendum will make sure that the current staffing is maintained. The district also plans to add a few counselors and social workers.
“It’s really going to be access to support around social, emotional and mental health needs. And that’ll be the biggest thing that they will see if the referendum passes,” said Superintendent Greg Hartjes before the results were finalized. “It’s really, it’s the opposite piece though if a referendum does not pass. And that means they’re going to notice things taken away. They’re going to notice less classes being offered, larger class sizes at middle and high school, the elementary school, they’re going to see things like co-curriculars go away, perhaps some different programs go away in the area of fine arts.”
Had voters turned down the referendum, the district was threatening to make cuts across the board. Teachers, support, administrative staff all would have been affected for the upcoming school year.
“If the referendum passes, first and foremost there will be relief, right? We do not have to cut $13 million from our budget next year,” said Hartjes, also before the results were finalized. “Because $13 million means we would have to cut approximately 100 positions, and then several different areas of operations and programs.”
This referendum covers four years at $15 million per year. It will raise taxes about $15 per $100,000 of property value.
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