Three Lakes Board of Education approves two-part capital referendum

The School District of Rhinelander is far from the only Northwoods school district holding a referendum this spring. Voters in the Tomahawk and Northland Pines districts will find an operational referendum question on their Feb. 18 ballot and last week the Three Lakes School District Board of Education voted unanimously to place a two-question capital referendum on the April 1 ballot.

If approved by district voters, the Three Lakes referendum will address significant facility improvement needs, district officials said in a press release. The first referendum question asks voters to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $18.9 million for the purpose of school building and facility improvement projects that include district-wide renovations, capital maintenance, building infrastructure, safety and security, site improvements and the construction of additions at Sugar Camp Elementary. The Sugar Camp additions would include classrooms and a cafeteria/multipurpose room, the release states.

The second referendum question asks voters to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2.7 million for the purpose of a facility improvement project that consists of athletic facility and site improvements. This project would include track replacement, field improvements, a concessions/bathroom building and a parking lot expansion, as well as other updates.

“Our focus lies on students and their journey to becoming productive citizens while always respecting cost to our citizens and property owners,” said Board President Elisha Williams. “We have the best students and staff here in Three Lakes, and we want to ensure they have the facilities and tools necessary for continued learning and lifelong succes.”

According to the release, the district began the process of assessing facilities back in 2023. At that time, the district hired Nexus Solutions to complete a detailed facility audit and create a maintenance schedule. 

Since then, the district has reviewed those findings, surveyed the community about facility needs and formed a community-led planning committee.

 This referendum is a result of this work and information, the release states.

“The process in arriving at this point was lengthy and deliberate,” said district administrator Teri Maney. “Our community has been historically supportive of the school district through passage of operational referendums. It is with utmost respect and gratitude that I keep this foremost in my mind. It is my intention to keep the community informed as we go forward with this capital improvement referendum.”

The Three Lakes School District last passed a capital referendum in 1992. At that time, the large gym, auditorium, commons and district offices were added and other major building improvements were made.

In 2022, Three Lakes voters passed an operational referendum, which allows the district to exceed the annual revenue limit. Operational referendums are used for day-to-day expenses that help maintain things such as class size, programs and students services. The district is on a five-year cycle for operational referendums and will again seek voter approval for one in 2027.

Other spring referenda

On Feb. 18, Northland Pines voters will be asked to authorize the district to exceed revenue limits by $5.6 million per year for three years, starting with the 2025-26 term, for operational purposes.

On the same day, Tomahawk voters will be asked to authorize their district to continue exceeding its revenue limit by $3.25 million each year for four years.

The School District of Rhinelander operational referendum vote will take place on April 1. Local voters are being asked to allow the district to exceed state-set revenue spending limits by $20 million over a four-year span beginning in the 2025-26 school year. 

“We are proud of our efforts to continue providing our students with an exceptional educational experience, despite the financial challenges facing our district and many others like ours across the state,” district superintendent Eric Burke said in a statement released following the December vote finalizing the language to be placed on the April 1 ballot. “As we continue to manage the impact of rising costs and an inadequate state funding system, we are once again looking to engage our community and propose a solution that will position our students for success, now and in the coming years.”

The question, as it will appear on the ballot of the April 1, 2025 spring election, reads as follows: “Shall the School District of Rhinelander, Oneida, Lincoln and Langlade Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $3,000,000 per year for the 2025-2026 school year and the 2026-2027 school year and by $7,000,000 per year for the 2027-2028 school year and 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of ongoing operational expenses?”

District officials have announced that two community presentations will be held to provide the public with information about the  referendum. 

The presentation dates, times and locations are:

• Wednesday, February 19, 9-10 a.m., in the Hodag Dome

• Wednesday, March 12, 6-7 p.m., in the Rhinelander High School Commons

More information about the Rhinelander referendum can also be found on the district website at https://www.rhinelander.k12.wi.us/district/referendum.cfm.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].