Galesville‑Ettrick‑Trempealeau School District to ask voters Aug. 11 for funds to fix aging buildings, safety and capacity

The Galesville‑Ettrick‑Trempealeau School District will ask voters on Aug. 11, 2026, to approve a referendum intended to pay for deferred maintenance, building safety upgrades and added classroom capacity, district staff said during a presentation.

District presenters opened by reciting the district mission—"learning for all, learning for life"—and noted that enrollment is "creeping up slowly." "We just added all-day 4K, five days a week," a district presenter said, describing an expansion in early-childhood offerings that officials called a community benefit.

The referendum proposal grew out of meetings with staff and community members to prioritize district needs, presenters said. "On Aug. 11, 2026, the Galesville‑Ettrick‑Trempealeau School District is going to referendum," a presenter said, and staff identified three primary focus areas for the measure: deferred maintenance, safety and capacity.

Staff described multiple examples of aging infrastructure that the referendum would target. One staff member said two elementary schools are "bursting at the seams," and another noted the district ran two sections of fifth grade this year with 27 students in each class, calling that "tight to fit 27 learners into one space." At the high school, staff pointed to south bathrooms that date from about 1966 or 1972 as examples of facilities nearing the end of their useful lives.

Kitchen equipment also drew attention: a food-service employee described a second oven whose doors will not stay closed and that must be slammed repeatedly during a full school day, underscoring wear on daily-use systems. Staff also said the elementary schools and the high school have entrances that are not secure—"Once they come in, they're inside the whole school"—which the district listed as a safety concern.

Staff described temporary steps already taken to relieve space and program needs. The district added a portable this year to provide space for music and a sensory room; presenters called the portable a "good short term fix" but said it is challenging in Wisconsin winters. Presenters emphasized that the referendum funds would be used to make longer-term repairs and improvements so buildings better serve students and staff.

The presentation did not include a vote or a board decision recorded in this transcript; staff framed the announcement as the culmination of community conversations and an appeal to voters to approve the proposed funding. The district did not specify the ballot language, cost estimate, or funding breakdown during the remarks.