Referenda Procedures and Reporting Requirements

School District Bonds, Referendum:

1. Consult with Bond Counsel early in the process.
2. Board adopts resolution calling for election on proposed borrowing - s. 67.05(6a), Wis. Stats.
3. Resolution must provide for sufficient time.
   • Within 10 days, school district clerk must publish notice of such adoption - s. 67.05(6a)(a)2, Wis Stats.
   • Referendum to be held not earlier than 45 days after the adoption of the resolution - s. 67.05(6a)(a)2a, Wis. Stats.
   • The district must publish a notice under s. 10.01(2), Wis. Stats., on the fourth Tuesday before the referendum and also on the day before the referendum - s. 67.05(3), Wis. Stats.
   • The district must notify the department of the scheduled day of the referendum and submit a copy of the resolution to the department within 10 days after adopting a resolution that authorizes the school board to incur debt per s. 120.115(1)(a), Wis. Stats.
4. The school district clerk is responsible for the preparation and distribution of the ballots - s. 67.05(3)b, Wis. Stats.
5. Costs
   • In regularly scheduled elections, district pays for ballots and municipality pays for poll workers - s. 5.68 and s. 7.03, Wis. Stats.
   • In special elections, the district pays for all costs - s. 7.03, Wis. Stats.
6. In the case of special elections, polling places can sometimes be closed - s. 120.06(9), Wis. Stats. However, a polling place cannot be closed if:
   • 10 percent or more of the electors voting in the last school board election voted at the polling place; or
   • The polling place is located in a municipality situated entirely within the district.
   • The referendum is held in accordance with Chapters 5 through 12 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
7. A copy of the Certificate of Board of Canvassers verifying the vote tally should be faxed to Gene Fornecker at (608) 266-2840.

Revenue Limit, Referendum to Exceed:

1. Essentially the same procedures and requirements as bond referendums.
   • Board adopts resolution calling for election on proposed borrowing - s. 121.91(3), Wis. Stats.
     1. State the amount; and
     2. If it is for a recurring or nonrecurring purpose; and
     3. If both, amount for each must be stated.
     4. Within 10 days of adopting resolution, the school board shall notifiy the department of the scheduled date of the referendum and submit a copy of the resolution to the department.
2. In lieu of a special referendum, the school board may specify that the referendum be held on the next regularly scheduled primary or election day, if such election is to be held not earlier than 42 days after the adoption of the resolution.
3. The referendum is held in accordance with Chapters 5 through 12 of the State Statutes.
4. Districts are required to provide prompt notification to the department of the results of the referendum. Please contact Gene Fornecker, School Finance Auditor, (608)-267-7882 if you have any questions.
5. A copy of the Certificate of Board of Canvassers verifying the vote tally should be faxed to Gene Fornecker, School Finance Auditor, at (608)-266-2840.

NOTE:

Effective October 12, 1997, districts are required to notify the Department of Public Instruction within ten days of holding a referendum of the results of that referendum. Notification to DPI of upcoming referendum elections is performed via the internet through the DPI School Finance Reporting Portal. The district's ID and password is required. To notify the DPI of an upcoming referendum or its results click the link below:
Notify/Report the results of a referenda
Please contact Gene Fornecker, School Finance Auditor, (608)-267-7882 if you have any questions.

For questions about this information, contact dpifin@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-9114

Last updated on 4/7/2011 1:55:13 PM