W-F School Board approves referendum question

WEYAUWEGA – The Weyauwega-Fremont Board of Education has approved a resolution to place a facilities referendum question on the November 3, 2026 ballot following months of facility planning, community feedback and project refinement. The resolution was adopted during the Board’s August 17 meeting and authorizes voters to consider an $8.45 million facility referendum focused on the district’s most critical facility needs.
Earlier this year, the board of education engaged Bray Architects and Miron Construction to complete a comprehensive facilities assessment to better understand the condition of district buildings and identify future capital maintenance, infrastructure, accessibility, safety, and security needs. The assessment, presented publicly in April, identified facility components across the district that were in poor condition and approaching or exceeding their expected service life. Findings included aging building systems, infrastructure concerns, accessibility needs, and safety and security improvements across multiple school buildings.
As part of the planning process, the board committed to seeking public input before making any decisions regarding a potential referendum. In spring 2026, an independent community survey conducted by School Perceptions provided residents with an opportunity to share their perspectives on the district’s facility needs and potential referendum options. The survey received 463 responses.
“The board made a commitment to listen to our community throughout this process,” said Superintendent Stacey Wester. “Residents told us they understood the facility needs facing the district, but they also expressed concerns about the size and cost of the original proposal. The Board took that feedback seriously and spent significant time reviewing priorities and identifying a more focused approach.”
Survey results indicated that while community members generally recognized the need to address aging facilities, concerns about overall cost and tax impact limited support for the original $19.5 million facilities concept. Based on that feedback, Board members spent the summer reviewing the identified needs and prioritizing projects that addressed the district’s most urgent facility concerns.

The result is an $8.45 million referendum proposal that reduces the previously presented concept by more than half while focusing on critical safety, security, infrastructure, and capital maintenance needs throughout the district. The proposal is designed to address identified facility needs while reflecting the priorities shared by residents during the community engagement process.
The official ballot language that voters will see on the ballot on November 3, 2026 is as follows: BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Weyauwega-Fremont, Waupaca, Winnebago and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $8,450,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of: safety, security, building infrastructure and site improvements at Fremont Elementary School, Weyauwega Elementary School and Weyauwega Middle School; construction of a secure entrance at Weyauwega Elementary School; district-wide capital maintenance; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
Board members noted that the proposal focuses on addressing needs identified through the facilities assessment as the district’s most critical priorities. The work is intended to maintain safe, functional, and reliable school facilities while addressing aging building components and infrastructure needs.
With the referendum question now approved for the ballot, district leaders will continue providing information to residents about the proposal, including project details, facility needs, estimated tax impact information, and opportunities for community members to ask questions and learn more about the referendum.
“We remain committed to transparency throughout this process,” Wester said. “In the coming weeks, residents will have opportunities to learn more about why these projects were selected, what the referendum would accomplish, and how the proposal reflects the feedback we received from our community.”
Additional referendum information will be made available on the district’s website and shared with families, staff, residents, and community stakeholders throughout the fall leading up to the November 3, 2026 election.