Holmen one of several area districts whose voters turned down referendum questions

Stating that there are “tough and challenging times ahead”, the Holmen School District’s next step is figuring out what’s next after voters reject a $19.25 million referendum on Tuesday.  

Holmen District Administrator Kris Mueller released a statement on Wednesday to staff plus families in the district discussing what lies ahead for the district.  

While we are disappointed that our operational referendum did not pass, we remain committed to our mission of providing the best possible education for our students. These are tough and challenging times ahead, and difficult decisions will need to be made. However, what will not change is our dedication to the students, families, and staff who make the School District of Holmen a great place to learn and grow. 

Without the additional funding, we will face significant challenges in maintaining the level of educational excellence our community has come to expect. The reality is that we will have to carefully evaluate how we allocate resources, knowing that reductions will be necessary. This will impact academic programs, curriculum resources, and our ability to maintain updated instructional materials and technology. It will also affect our ability to keep up with facility maintenance and remain competitive in attracting and retaining high-quality staff. 

Despite these challenges, we will continue to move forward and do what is right for our kids. Our educators and staff will keep working tirelessly to provide meaningful learning experiences, and our students will continue to be at the heart of every decision we make. We will seek creative solutions, make the most of the resources we have, and remain steadfast in our commitment to preparing students for success. 

We recognize that this is a difficult moment for our district, but we are grateful for a community that values education. We will continue to engage with you, share updates, and work together to find a path forward. Now more than ever, we appreciate your support, your partnership, and your advocacy for our students. 

Thank you for standing with us. We remain hopeful for the future and will do everything we can to navigate these challenges with a focus on what matters most—the success and well-being of our students. 

Voters turned down the referendum question 4755-4665. 

It was one of five school referendums in our area that failed on Tuesday. The others were in De Soto, Arcadia, Melrose-Mindoro, and Prairie du Chien. Apart from Melrose-Mindoro that had a recurring-type referendum question before voters, all were non-recurring referendums meaning that they were for a specific length of time before expiring.  

Five other school district referendums were approved by the voters. 

Among them, Cochrane-Fountain City was the largest ask-for nearly $17.5 million for buildings and classroom improvements. 

Those voters in the remaining four districts-Bangor, Independence, Viroqua, and Whitehall-all passed measures to exceed revenue limits so they can use the additional funds for a wide range of items from staffing to materials to maintenance.