Board authorizes four-year referendum question to exceed revenue limits; superintendent outlines $158M ask

The Green Bay Area Public School District Board of Education voted unanimously to authorize a four-year replacement operational referendum and to provide for a referendum election on the question. The resolutions allow the district to exceed state revenue limits for nonrecurring purposes and set the process for asking voters to approve additional revenue.

Superintendent Hernandez described the board-supported ballot question and a change made after prior work sessions: the district adjusted the proposed first-year CPI allowance from 3% to 4% to reduce the likelihood of needing another round of cuts later. Hernandez said the additional 1% in year one increases the four-year request by about $4,000,000 (from $154,000,000 discussed earlier to $158,000,000) and reiterated that the question would remain tax-neutral. He presented proposed year-by-year funding amounts of $29,000,000 for 2027–28, $36,000,000 for 2028–29, $44,000,000 for 2029–30 and $49,000,000 for 2030–31.

Board members voiced support while stressing outreach and fiscal prudence. Board member Laura said she trusted financial staff and would vote yes, citing the need to avoid layoffs and protect programming; board member Andrew acknowledged philosophical reservations but supported keeping the mill-rate neutral approach. The board called the question and recorded a unanimous vote to approve the resolutions to proceed toward a referendum election.

Actions recorded: the board moved and carried (unanimous) (a) a resolution authorizing the district budget to exceed revenue limits for four years for nonrecurring purposes and (b) a resolution providing for a referendum election on that question. The board noted these items had been discussed at a prior work session; no final ballot wording or election date was included in the meeting minutes beyond the procedural approval to proceed.