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Watertown board certifies April canvass, confirming operational referendum results
Summary
The Watertown Unified School District board approved the board of canvassers report certifying the April election totals for an operational referendum that would let the district exceed its revenue limit by $44,000,500 per year for five years; the canvass report showed 4,546 yes votes and 3,994 no votes.
The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education voted to approve the board of canvassers report certifying the results of the spring referendum held April 7, 2026. The canvass report lists the referendum question as whether the district budget should exceed the revenue limit by $44,000,500 per year for five years beginning with the 2026–27 school year. Chair (speaker 2) read the canvass statement aloud and called for the motion to approve the canvass report, which the board adopted by roll-call vote.
The canvass table read into the record showed total votes of 4,546 in favor and 3,994 opposed. The board's formal vote accepted the signed canvassers' certificate (signed by Sam O'Neil, Dan Boatner and Tammy Fournier, witnessed by Lynn Linskins) and the tabulated precinct‑level results compiled from town and ward returns.
Why it matters: If the referendum's authorization is implemented under state procedures, it would permit the Watertown Unified School District to exceed the revenue limit by the amount stated in the ballot question for five years for operational, instructional and maintenance purposes. The board's action at this meeting did not change the election totals; it formally certified the canvass documents and declared that the board had reviewed and accepted the board of canvassers' report.
Board members did not debate the substance of the ballot language at length at this meeting; the certification proceeded after the clerks' reading of precinct totals. The board's action was procedural: approving and signing the official canvass documents required to finalize the election record.
What the board did next: Following the certification vote, the board approved related canvass paperwork (a board of canvassers statement and certificate of determination of persons elected) and moved on to other agenda items. Any administrative steps required under Wisconsin election law and district policy for implementing referendum results will follow the certification and the posting/filing of the canvass documents.
Provenance: The canvass totals and the board's certification were read and approved on the record during the meeting (see timeline entries covering the board canvass and certification).
