Mixed results for school referendums

MARSHFIELD – Wood County voters were split on area school referendums in Tuesday’s election.

In Auburndale, it was a split decision, with voters overwhelmingly supporting one referendum, but narrowly defeating the other.

The first question – and the one that passed 1,331-627 – allows the school district to issue up to $4.5 million in general obligation bonds for district-wide renovations. Those changes include classroom updates, roof replacement, changes to heating-and-cooling systems and more.

It also will allow the high school to replace its track, which district officials say is “unsafe” to run on, which makes it impossible to host events.

The other question asked voters for up to $9 million for improvements to the middle and high school, including expanding the main entrance to better monitor and control visitor access. It also would have expanded the cafeteria and auditorium space, among other renovations.

Voters, however, narrowly defeated that initiative, 989-934.

The Nekoosa School District referendum also was defeated, 2,053-1,792. School officials had asked residents if they could exceed revenue limits by $2 million each year for the next five years for what they called "essential student programs." The referendum would have had an estimated property tax impact of 2 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.