4:05 PM: Elmbrook passes state's largest school referendum
The largest school district referendum on the ballot was approved but most other large school spending measures failed when submitted to voters in the spring election.
A total of 30 referendums totaling more than $165 million were approved Tuesday. Thirty-one failed, representing nearly $285 million.
The Elmbrook school district gained $62.2 million to renovate and expand Brookfield Central and East high schools. A referendum last year for $108.8 million failed in the suburban Milwaukee district.
Of the 12 districts with referendums exceeding $10 million, only measures in Racine and La Crosse passed. Racine passed a $16.5 million referendum, while La Crosse passed a $20.9 million referendum. Voters in La Crosse also rejected a second referendum for $35 million to construct a new elementary school.
The remaining districts asking for more than $10 million were shot down by voters, including ballot measures in Germantown, Hartford (two referendums), Jefferson, Luxemburg-Casco, Poynette, Rhinelander (four referendums), Rice Lake Area, Somerset and Waupun.
Search for April 1 referenda at the Dept. of Public Instruction Web site:
https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr/all_referenda.asp
-- By Andy Szal
Labels: 2008 spring election