Referendum Election Details
At an election to be held in the Richland School District on April 2, 2024, the following proposed Revenue Limit Resolution and Initial Resolution of the School Board will be submitted to a vote of the people:
RESOLUTION NUMBER I RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR FOUR YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by
$2,300,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, by $2,400,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $2,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $2,600,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, for non- recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, to pay compensation, and to sustain District operations.
RESOLUTION NUMBER II
INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $27,160,000
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $27,160,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security and site improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance updates; remodeling and upgrades to District technical education space; roofing improvements at the High School; district-wide capital maintenance, infrastructure and HVAC improvements, including adding air conditioning to the school buildings where needed; auditorium upgrades; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
Ballot Text
The questions will appear on the ballot as follows:
QUESTION NUMBER I
“Shall the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in
Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,300,000 for the 2024- 2025 school year, by $2,400,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by
$2,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $2,600,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, to pay compensation, and to sustain District operations?”
QUESTION NUMBER II
“Shall the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed
$27,160,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security and site improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance updates; remodeling and upgrades to District technical education space; roofing improvements at the High School; district-wide capital maintenance, infrastructure and HVAC improvements, including adding air conditioning to the school buildings where needed; auditorium upgrades; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?”
Explanation
The referendum election ballot will ask District electors to vote “yes” or “no” on the referendum election questions as set forth above.
A “yes” vote on Question Number I is a vote to authorize the Richland School District budget to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,300,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, by $2,400,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $2,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $2,600,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, to pay compensation, and to sustain District operations.
A “no” vote on Question Number I is a vote to deny the Richland School District the authority to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,300,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, by $2,400,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $2,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $2,600,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring
purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, to pay compensation, and to sustain District operations.
In the event a majority of the electors voting on Question Number I vote “yes”, the District will be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by
$2,300,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, by $2,400,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by
$2,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $2,600,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, to pay compensation, and to sustain District operations; if a majority vote “no” on Question Number I, the District will not be so authorized.
A “yes” vote on Question Number II is a vote to approve the borrowing of $27,160,000 by the Richland School District through the issuance of general obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security and site improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance updates; remodeling and upgrades to District technical education space; roofing improvements at the High School; district-wide capital maintenance, infrastructure and HVAC improvements, including adding air conditioning to the school buildings where needed; auditorium upgrades; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
A “no” vote on Question Number II is a vote to deny the Richland School District the authority to borrow $27,160,000 through the issuance of general obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security and site improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance updates; remodeling and upgrades to District technical education space; roofing improvements at the High School; district-wide capital maintenance, infrastructure and HVAC improvements, including adding air conditioning to the school buildings where needed; auditorium upgrades; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
In the event a majority of the electors voting on Question Number II vote “yes”, the District will be authorized to undertake the school facility improvement program described in
Question Number II and borrow not in excess of $27,160,000 therefor; if a majority vote “no” on Question Number II set forth above, the District will not be so authorized.
Location and Hours of Polling Places
Information as to the location of the polling places is available in the District Office at 1996 US Hwy 14 West, Richland Center, Wisconsin.
All polling places will be open at 7:00 A.M. and will close at 8:00 P.M. All polling places are accessible to elderly and disabled voters.1
If you have any questions concerning your polling place, contact the municipal clerk:
1 THIS NOTICE MUST CONTAIN A STATEMENT ABOUT THE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED FOR EACH POLLING PLACE. IF ANY POLLING PLACES ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE OR IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW, CONTACT THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION.
Notice of Meeting of the School District Board of Canvassers
By no later than 9 a.m. on the Tuesday after the election, the school district board of canvassers shall convene, pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 19.84, for the purpose of conducting the school district canvass pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 7.53(3). This meeting will be open to the public pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 19.81-89.
Information to Electors2
Upon entering the polling place and before being permitted to vote, an elector shall:
- state their name and address
- show an acceptable form of photo identification*
- sign the poll book**
*If an elector does not have acceptable photo identification, the elector may obtain a free photo ID for voting from the Division of Motor Vehicles.
**If the elector is unable to sign the poll book due to disability, a poll worker may write the word “exempt.”
If an elector is not registered to vote, they may register to vote at the polling place serving their residence if the elector provides proof of residence.
Where ballots are distributed to electors, the initials of two inspectors must appear on the ballot.3
Upon being permitted to vote, the elector shall enter a voting booth or go to a machine and cast their ballot. The vote should not be cast in any manner other than specified here. Sample ballots or other materials to assist the elector in marking their ballot may be taken into the booth and copied. The sample ballot shall not be shown to anyone so as to reveal how the ballot is marked.
An elector who is a parent or guardian may be accompanied by the elector’s minor child or minor ward.
An election official may inform the elector of the proper manner for casting a vote but the official may not advise or indicate a particular voting choice.
Assistance for Voting
An elector may select an individual to assist in casting their vote if the elector declares to the presiding official that they are unable to read, have difficulty reading, writing, or understanding English, or that due to disability are unable to cast their ballot. The selected individual rendering assistance may not be the elector’s employer or an agent of that employer or an officer or agent
2 This section should be adapted depending upon what type of voting procedure is used.
of a labor organization which represents the elector.
Where Paper Ballots are Used
On referendum questions, the elector shall make a mark (X) in the square next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall make a mark (X) in the square next to “no” if opposed to the question.
Where Optical Scan Voting is Used
On referendum questions, the elector shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall fill in the oval or connect the arrow next to “no” if opposed to the question.
When using an electronic ballot marking device (“Automark,” “ExpressVote,” Clear Access or “ImageCast Evolution-ICE”) to mark an optical scan ballot on referendum questions, the elector shall touch the screen or use the tactile pad to select “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall touch the screen or use the tactile pad to select “no” if opposed to the question.
Where Touch Screen Voting is Used
On referendum questions, the elector shall touch the screen at “yes” if in favor of the question, or the elector shall touch the screen at “no” if opposed to the question.
After Voting the Ballot
After an official paper ballot is marked, it shall be folded so the inside marks do not show, but so the printed endorsements and inspectors’ initials on the outside do show. The elector shall deposit the voted ballot in the ballot box or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit and shall leave the polling place promptly.
After an official optical scan ballot is marked, it shall be inserted in the security sleeve, so the marks do not show. The elector may insert the ballot in the voting device and discard the sleeve or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit. If a central count system is used, the elector shall insert the ballot in the ballot box and discard the sleeve or deliver the ballot to an inspector for deposit.
The elector shall leave the polling place promptly.
After an official touch screen ballot is cast, the elector shall leave the polling place promptly.
Spoiling Ballots
If an elector spoils a paper or optical scan ballot, they shall return it to an election official who shall issue another ballot in its place, but not more than three ballots shall be issued to any one elector. If the ballot has not been initialed by two inspectors or is defective in any other way, the elector shall return it to the election official who shall issue a proper ballot in its place.4
The elector may spoil a touch screen ballot at the voting station before the ballot is cast. The following is a sample of the official ballot:
Official Referendum Ballot
April 2, 2024
Notice to Voters: If you are voting on Election Day, your ballot must be initialed by two election inspectors. If you are voting absentee, your ballot must be initialed by the municipal clerk or deputy clerk. Your ballot may not be counted without initials. (See end of ballot for initials).
| If you make a mistake on your ballot or have a question, ask an election inspector for help. (Absentee voters: contact your municipal clerk). To vote in favor of a question, make an “X” or other mark in the square next to “Yes,” like this: T To vote against a question, make an “X” or other mark in the square next to “No,” like this: T |
| School District |
| Question Number I: Shall the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2,300,000 for the 2024- 2025 school year, by $2,400,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $2,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and by $2,600,000 for the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to ongoing educational programming, to pay compensation, and to sustain District operations? |
| Yes |
| No |
| Question Number II: Shall the Richland School District, Richland County, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $27,160,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: district-wide safety, security and site improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance updates; remodeling and upgrades to District technical education space; roofing improvements at the High School; district-wide capital maintenance, infrastructure and HVAC improvements, including adding air conditioning to the school buildings where needed; auditorium upgrades; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment? |
| Yes |
No