La Crosse School Board needs more time to work out fall referendum question

Voters in the La Crosse school district could have more than one issue to decide, the next time there’s a school referendum on the ballot.

Board members want more time to consider adding to the proposed referendum for November, or possibly putting two questions on the ballot in the same election. The board debated on Monday whether other options should be brought to voters this fall, or if they should be discussed as items to consider if the referendum is defeated. Last month, the board voted to have a referendum on whether to combine Emerson and Spence schools in one building on the Hogan building property.

Members want to have language for a referendum settled before the April election, because three current board members are retiring next month.

The merger plan is expected to go to referendum in November. It was an alternative to the idea of trying to close at least one elementary school at the end of this class year.