Board votes to place $2.75 million, four-year referendum on ballot

The Adams-Friendship Area School District board voted to ask voters to approve a four-year, nonrecurring operational referendum of $2,750,000 per year beginning with the 2027–28 school year.

Administrator summarized the district's financial outlook and warned of large deficits without new revenue, saying "what was projected was a $5,000,000 deficit after this year." Board members debated models that would be "referendum-neutral" versus smaller asks that would preserve fund balance targets. After discussion, Board member Jeff moved a middle-path request of $2,750,000, which the board approved 7–1.

The ballot question approved for publication asks: "Shall the Adams-Friendship Area School District, Adams County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in section 121.91 of the Wisconsin Statutes by $2,750,000 per year for 4 years beginning with the 2027–28 school year and ending with the 2030–31 school year for nonrecurring purposes consisting of maintaining current K–5 and 6–8 class sizes, existing career and technical education programming, co-curricular experiences, and operational costs associated with maintaining school buildings?"

Board members who supported the measure said the ask balances preserving necessary programming and staffing while limiting levy impact; a dissenting member voted no on principle of asking taxpayers for more. The board also approved a separate resolution authorizing the district to exceed the revenue limit by the chosen amount and approved the formal ballot language.

The next steps: the district will file required notices and include the approved ballot wording with the clerk and election officials; the public will vote on the question at the next scheduled election.