MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Voters in the Manitowoc school district will have a referendum question on the ballot in spring.
The Board of Education voted Tuesday to put a $61.7 million, five-year operating referendum on the April 4, 2023 election ballot to maintain K-12 educational programming and services, including staffing, facilities and technology needs.
If approved, the referendum would increase the school property tax levy rate from its 38-year record low but keep the rate through 2027-2028 lower than it was in 2015-2016.
As a renewal to operating referendums approved by voters in 2015, 2018 and 2021, the district is asking to exceed the state’s revenue limits to sustain programs and services amid rising inflation and inadequate state aid as a low-revenue district under state funding formulas.
It would be:
- $5,200,000 for the 2023-2024 school year (This in addition to the $4,300,000 voters approved in the April 2021 operating referendum, bringing the 2023-2024 total to $9,500,000)
- $11,000,000 for the 2024-2025 school year
- $13,000,000 for the 2025-2026 school year
- $15,000,000 for the 2026-2027 school year
- $17,500,000 for the 2027-2028 school year
More information will be shared in the next two months and the district will hold public informational sessions.
