Onalaska School District wants public’s opinion on operating referendum

Onalaska’s school district is getting the public’s opinion on extending a current five-year operating referendum that is netting the district $2.6 million.

Those in the boundary lines received a survey in the mail, along with an online link to answer the survey.

The referendum would pay for things like building upgrades and security projects.

Superintendent Fran Finco says the district is far from alone in asking voters for additional revenue.

“Many, Many school districts have to go to referendum in order to operate at the level that they operate,” Finco said. “There’s been a really good rate of passage of operation referendums by the local communites because they value what their schools are doing.”

The operating referendum costs taxpayers $130 for every $100,000 property value. The district is contemplating extending that but will first get public opinion.