School board approves operational referendum question

IOLA – At its meeting on Monday, Jan. 12, the Iola-Scandinavia Board of Education approved a four-year, non-recurring operational referendum question that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
If a simple majority of voters approve the proposal, Iola-Scandinavia School District will have the ability to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit by $1.6 million during the 2026-27 school year, and then by $2 million annually through 2029-30.
“The proposed operational referendum renewal is about sustaining the academic programming, student opportunities, and day-to-day operations our community expects and values,” said Chris Nelson, District Administrator. “If approved, it would allow the district to maintain a high-quality educational environment while continuing to support students and staff in meaningful, responsible ways well into the future.”
Iola-Scandinavia has relied on operational referendum funding for nearly a decade. The district’s first measure was approved in 2016 and renewed by voters in 2020. It will sunset at the conclusion of the current school year if not renewed in April. Without a renewed operational referendum, the board and district administration will be forced to consider reducing programs and services for students, reducing staff, increasing class sizes, limiting or eliminating some extracurricular activities, and delaying maintenance projects.
Iola-Scandinavia’s schools were recognized for exceeding expectations in the recent state report card.

Operational referendums are necessary in many districts due to Wisconsin’s inequitable school funding system, lack of state aid to public schools in recent years, and rapidly rising daily expenses. If state aid had kept pace with inflation since 2009, school districts today would receive approximately $3,300 more per student. About 87% of Wisconsin school districts have attempted operational referendums to date, and more than half of all districts have received voter approval to exceed their revenue limit in the past decade.
An approved referendum would have an estimated average annual school district property tax increase of $41 for every $100,000 of property value. This would equate to an average increase of approximately $102 per year above the current tax rate for a property valued at $250,000.
The district will soon develop a webpage detailing its needs, the proposed solution, and answers to frequently asked questions. More information will also be shared on social media platforms and through other communication channels leading up to Election Day.