Marshfield School District Referendum Information Meetings Scheduled
MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – The City of Marshfield will hold a referendum on November 5, 2024, asking residents to approve a $71,575,000 bond. This funding would address long-standing facility needs within the school district, but some question its necessity, particularly given the district’s already existing permanent funding.
Following an extensive assessment of district facilities, the Board of Education decided to put the bond to a vote. According to Superintendent Dr. Ryan Christianson, “these needs cannot be addressed within our annual budget, and only become more costly over time.”
Information Nights
To ensure voters are well-informed, the district is hosting two upcoming information nights, where the public can ask questions and take a facility tour:
- October 28: High School Library, 6:00 PM
- October 29: Grant Elementary Cafeteria, 6:00 PM
More information can be found at marshfield.referendumfacts.org.
If passed, the bond would increase property taxes by $142 annually for every $100,000 of property value. For example, a home valued at $200,000 would see an increase of $284 per year, or $23.66 per month. The district argues this is necessary to address essential facility updates, but it is important to note that this new referendum comes on top of a permanent $3.5 million annual recurring referendum passed in 2020.
School districts across Wisconsin face similar funding issues due to state-imposed revenue limits from 1993, which have made local referendums the only path to securing necessary funds. This puts the financial burden squarely on local taxpayers, forcing communities to repeatedly approve tax hikes or face deteriorating facilities. Some taxpayers have expressed concern, however, that adding a $71.6 million debt to already taxed residents, especially after the 2020 referendum, raises questions about the district’s financial planning.
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Author: Breanna Butler
Breanna Butler is an award-winning multimedia producer born and raised in Central Wisconsin. She enjoys exploring and writing about the community. She lives in Marshfield with her husband and furry family.
