Sturgeon Bay board approves $3.75M‑per‑year, five‑year referendum to appear on Nov. 3 ballot

The Sturgeon Bay School District board on Aug. 19 approved two resolutions authorizing an operational referendum asking voters to allow the district to exceed the revenue limit specified in section 121.91, Wisconsin statutes, by $3,750,000 per year for five years, beginning with the 2027–2028 school year and ending with the 2031–2032 school year. Commissioner Wyn made the motion and Commissioner Star seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

Administrators told the board the current five‑year override authority will expire at the end of the 2026–27 fiscal year, and that without new authority the district could face significant program and staff reductions. President Stapani read the ballot language into the record and emphasized the ask is intended for non‑recurring operational purposes such as educational programming and staff compensation. "Yes. $3,750,000," an administrator confirmed when asked to restate the figure.

The district plans to post the sample ballot and background materials on a new referendum information page on the district website immediately after the meeting and to publish notices in the Peninsula Pulse as required. Administration also outlined an outreach calendar: a community information session planned for Oct. 7 in the boardroom, an Oct. 16 Clipper Connection newsletter insert, and additional presentations to civic groups and media interviews. Board members referenced a community survey by School Perceptions as informing the size of the ask and said they reduced an initially considered $4 million request based on that feedback.

The board’s action directs the district clerk to file the referendum materials and to notify the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction within 10 days of adopting the revenue limit resolution, as required by statute.