February 17, 2016 at 4:59 p.m.
A resounding 'yes': Voters overwhelmingly approve Rhinelander school referendum
A resounding 'yes': Voters overwhelmingly approve Rhinelander school referendum
The referendum to exceed the revenue limit by $5 million a year for three years will begin with the 2016-17 school year and run through the 2018-19 school year. It replaces a $4 million-a-year request approved three years ago that expires at the end of this school year.
Unofficial results released by the district show the referendum passed 4,100 votes to 1,958.
Of the townships in the district, the referendum failed only in Cassian, Harrison and Parrish, all by narrow margins, while voters in Stella were split, registering a 109-109 tie. All eight districts in the city of Rhinelander approved the measure.
District superintendent Kelli Jacobi was ecstatic when reached early Wednesday for comment.
"It's a good day," she said. "A big thank you to the community and all the voters for supporting our kids."
Jacobi said she was surprised by the turnout as well as the strength of the support the district received from voters this time around.
"I was surprised at the great voter turnout and thrilled by the huge positive response. (It was) amazing that (so) many people came out to vote," she said. "Yes, the Supreme Court primary is an important race, but I really think the referendum got people to the polls and that is amazing and fabulous for our community."
The district still must close a shortfall of nearly $500,000 in the 2016-17 budget by using dollars in fund balance, but Jacobi said that money has been accounted for.
"That money has been set aside in that reserve from savings," she said.
Jacobi said the results from the various township offices came in relatively quickly once the polls closed.
"Enough of the numbers had come in by 8:30 and 9 o'clock that we knew it was a win," she said. "It was very low-key, but once we started seeing those numbers come in, and they were so positive, and just (a) great turnout, we had a really good feeling.
"We're celebrating for our kids," she added. "They're the winners here."
Now that the threat of massive programming cuts has been lifted, Jacobi said the district can start working on staffing decisions for 2016-17.
"We'll know of retirements, people who are not going to be here next year, and we'll start working on our student numbers and where we'll need to make staffing changes," she said. "We'll begin that just like our normal yearly process."
The election results are considered official until the votes have been canvassed. That process must be completed by 9 a.m. Feb. 23.
According to unofficial results released by the Oneida County Clerk, in the primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg edged out incumbent Rebecca Bradley 3,490 to 3,265 while Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Joe Donald tallied 557 votes. Statewide, Bradley beat Kloppenburg. Both judges will appear on the ballot for the April 5 election.
Voters in the Northland Pines School District also approved a referendum to exceed the revenue limit by $4 million over three years. The vote there was 1,875 to 1,029.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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