Western Wisconsin school districts face budget gaps after voters reject funding referendums

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WKBT) — Voters in several local school districts rejected requests for more funding Tuesday, leaving districts with budget problems to solve.

Referendum results: Winter school funding passes; Town of Hayward facilities proposal rejected

Winter School District voters on Tuesday Nov. 3 passed an operational funding referendum by a vote of 1,174 ‘Yes’ to 546 ‘No.’ Town of Hayward voters rejected a facilities referendum proposal to renovate the existing town hall and build a new fire station and highway department facility, with a vote of 1,067 ‘No’ to 657 ‘Yes.’ Other Sawyer County vote totals from Tuesday’s election included: —Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Tom Tiffany/David Varnam (Republican) 5,123; David Crowley/Sarah Godlewski (Democrat), 4,058. In the state-wide vote, Crowley/Godlewski won over Tiffany/Varnam, 54.1% to 45.9%. —U.S. Congress 7th District Representative: Michael Alfonso (R), 4,930; Fred Clark (D), 4,174. District-wide, Alfonso won, 56.1% to 43.9%. —State Senator, District 25: Erik Severson (R), 5,082; Charly Ray (D), 4,053. District-wide, Severson won by 52.8% to 47.2%. —State Assembly, District 74: Chanz Green (R), 5,063; Paul Johnson (D), 4,032. District-wide, Green won, 58.3% to 41.7%. —Wisconsin Attorney General: Josh Kaul (D), 4,099; Eric Toney (R) 5,016; state-wide, Kaul won over Toney, 54.7% to 45.3% —Running unopposed, Bryan Deyo received 7,060 votes for Sawyer County Sheriff, and Marge Kelsey received 7,024 votes for Sawyer County Clerk of Court.

Doors stay open for the Winter School District as referendum passes

WINTER, Wis. (KQDS-TV) – Good news for the Winter School District: voters passed the school district’s operational referendum, keeping the doors open for many more years to come. The Winter School District asks its taxpayers to raise an additional $1.5 million through the 2030-2031 school year. The referendum...

Local school districts weigh in on school funding outcomes

WINTER, Wis., (WLAX, WEUX)- Local school districts are weighing in on the current state of school funding following Tuesdays’ election. We previously shared voters rejected 34 Wisconsin school referendums and approved 45. The Winter School District is celebrating. Their doors will now remain open. Their operational referendum passed. Taxpayers voting to approve an additional $1.5 […]

Menomonie School Board meeting for 11/9/2026

NOTICE OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE CENTER. 215 PINE AVENUE E., MENOMONIE, WI 54751 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2026, 5:45 P.M. This meeting will be live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCq2Z68-Z717wExwN1mChOQ/streams. AGENDA. I. OPENING ITEMS. A. Call to Order. B. Roll Call and Quorum. C. Pledge of...

Sumner-Fredericksburg, Postville Among Six Iowa Schools Not Playing Varsity Girls Basketball in ’26-27

Six high schools have informed the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union that they will not field a girls varsity basketball team for the 2026-2027 season. The schools listed include Central City, Postville, Starmont, Vinton-Shellsburg, West Central, and Sumner-Fredericksburg. It will be the second straight season without a team for...

Threat to Melrose-Mindoro School District

Western Tech nursing students can transfer all their credits toward bachelor’s degree through new agreement

Western Technical College nursing graduates have another pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree, with all their nursing program credits transferring. Western and Minnesota State University-Mankato signed the transfer agreement Wednesday. It’s the first partnership of its kind between the two schools. The 30-credit, fully online Bachelor of Science...

Local school districts weigh in on funding after referendum results

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Local school districts are discussing the state of school funding after Tuesday’s election. BACKGROUND: Voters reject 34 Wisconsin school referendums, approve 45. Voters rejected 34 Wisconsin school referendums and approved 45. Winter School District. The Winter School District’s operational referendum passed. Taxpayers voted to...

Western Technical College misses out on child care grant for student parents

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- A grant rejection is leaving Western Technical College student parents without a potential source of childcare support — and some campus advocates say the loss could disrupt students’ plans to work and continue their education.

Superintendent of La Crosse Public Schools named 2027 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - The Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators named Dr. Aaron Engel, Superintendent of the La Crosse Public Schools, as the 2027 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year. According to a press release from the La Crosse School District, Dr. Engel is being recognized for his exceptional...

Community forum examines flaws in Wisconsin school finance as Vernon County voters face five school referendums

VIROQUA, Wis. – Voters across Vernon County are preparing to decide on a series of local school referendums on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as public school districts navigate severe financial pressures under the state funding formula. A community education forum co hosted by Threefold Driftless and the McIntosh Memorial Library...

Caledonia Downs the Gophers in Section Quarterfinals

(ABC 6 Sports) — High school volleyball highlights from the Section 1AA Quarterfinal matchup between Caledonia and Chatfield. The Warriors would win in straight sets to earn a Semifinal matchup with the Triton Cobras.

Universities of Wisconsin fall enrollment declines slightly from previous year

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — More than 164,500 students enrolled across the Universities of Wisconsin this fall, but a drop in international students pulled overall numbers slightly below last year's totals, according to 10th-day enrollment figures released Friday.

Spence Elementary holds final Fun Run before move to Hogan Elementary

The Brief

Two Wisconsin high school seniors named 2026 US presidential scholars

(WFRV) – Two Wisconsin high school seniors have been selected as 2026 US Presidential Scholars, placing them among 161 students nationwide recognized with one of the country’s highest academic honors. The US Department of Education named Joel Janssen of Delavan-Darien High School and Elizabeth Matz of Onalaska High School to this year’s class of scholars. […]

Ashley hosts students for nationwide educational tours

ARCADIA, Wis. – Ashley Furniture Inds. celebrated Manufacturing Month throughout October by opening its doors to nearly 900 students across Mississippi, North Carolina and Wisconsin. The nationwide initiative, anchored by National Manufacturing Day, offered students an up-close look at today’s manufacturing industry. Students from 12 schools visited Ashley...

Eagles Fly By Saints in Playoff Quarterfinals

(ABC 6 Sports) — High School Football highlights from Section 1AA Playoffs between St. Charles and Dover-Eyota. This sets up a battle of Eagles in the Semifinals between Lourdes and Dover-Eyota.