2025 Referendum (Phase IV: Revitalizing Elementary Facilities )

On January 13, 2025, the School District of Baraboo Board of Education approved a capital facilities referendum for voter consideration on April 1, 2025. The $69.9 million referendum plan is a tax-neutral option, meaning the District's debt tax rate will remain unchanged. As previous referendum debts are paid off, new debt would replace retiring debt, ensuring a consistent tax rate while continuing to invest in educational infrastructure. If approved, the funds will address elementary facilities needs, including renovating and expanding Al Behrman, East, and Gordon L. Willson Elementary schools. The referendum will also enhance safety and security at elementary buildings and fund high-priority capital maintenance projects such as boiler replacements, plumbing upgrades, and electrical system improvements. The plan supports the district's new full-day 4-year-old kindergarten program and proposes the closure of the West Kindergarten Center. If approved by voters, we will maintain our current neighborhood school boundaries. Students who would have attended the West Kindergarten Center will attend their neighborhood school. The facilities plan was informed by a community committee, which met six times in 2023 and 2024. The Board of Education also carefully weighed input from over 1,600 respondents to a community-wide facilities planning survey distributed in spring 2024.

Updates will be posted to this page as the district continues to provide residents with the information needed to make an informed decision.