Wisconsin
More than 100 Wisconsin school districts asking voters to approve referendums
Voters in more than 100 school districts across Wisconsin will be asked to approve school referendums on Nov. 5, with educators saying the state Legislature is not adequately funding public education.
This will be the third election cycle this year with large numbers of districts asking taxpayers to approve increased funding for schools, totaling about $6 billion across the state.
At least 192 of the state’s 421 school districts have asked, or will ask, a referendum question in 2024.
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The November ballot includes 139 total referenda with 58 questions related to debt and 81 seeking recurring and non-recurring operating funds.
Approval for February and April referendums was only 60 percent — the lowest ever, indicating voter fatigue appears to have set in.
In Wauwatosa, an affluent suburb of Milwaukee, the school district is asking voters to approve two funding requests: a $64.4 million operational increase and a $60 million increase to repair aging school buildings.
If both measures are approved, it would mean about a $600 a year tax increase on a $300,000 home, according to the district.
Across the community voters have signs in their yard supporting and disavowing the proposals.
Superintendent Demond Means said Wauwatosa is a prime example of a “purple community.”
“The property taxpayers are paying more than we receive in state aid,” Means said. “I think that makes passing referendums difficult.”
School districts are funded by a mix of taxpayer dollars, state aid and federal aid. In Wauwatosa, about 44 percent of the district’s budget is paid for by tax dollars, 34 percent is paid for by state aid and 4 percent comes from federal aid, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
“ I believe that even the people who say ‘no’ to a referendum do want good schools,” Means said. “ They do want to make sure that kids are receiving the services that they want. It just disappoints me that the Legislature has placed communities in such a divisive, tension filled environment because it’s unnecessary. They have the funds to stop this, and they’ve just refused to do so.”
The 2023-25 state budget included an annual funding increase for public schools of $325 per student to the state-imposed limit on revenues districts can receive in school aids and local property taxes combined.
While this provides some relief, school districts say it didn’t catch them up from a freeze in state revenue caps in the previous two-year budget, or the declining enrollment many public school districts are experiencing.
Wisconsin ended its 2024 fiscal year in June with a $4.6 billion state budget surplus. The state’s “rainy day” fund hit a record-high of $1.9 billion.
State Superintendent Jill Underly is calling on Legislators to use a portion of the surplus to fund public education.
“The news that Wisconsin has a budget surplus of more than $4.5 billion comes at a time when too many of our school districts across the state are forced to go to referendum just to keep the lights on and our teachers in the classroom,” Underly said in a statement. “Our legislature has woefully underfunded public education to the detriment of our kids and communities.”
Madison voters will be asked to consider both city and school-related property tax levies next month.
The Madison Metropolitan School District has two referendum questions on the November ballot totaling more than $600 million.
The first, for $100 million, would help the school district cover its operating costs. The second, for $507 million, would renovate and replace aging buildings.
The school referendums would be “unprecedented in size and scope in district history,” according to an analysis from the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
Superintendent Joe Gothard said the district does not have time to wait for “courageous” lawmakers to pass the required bills to properly fund school districts.
“Taxpayers are stressed, inflation has impacted just about everything from personal finances and households to business and most certainly school districts,” Gothard said. “I’m concerned that without any change, the taxpayers are going to be looked at time after time to do the work that our state lawmakers are required to do.”
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Weekend in a Minute: Boo at the Zoo, The Hill Has Eyes, and other Halloween events
MILWAUKEE — We’re approaching peak spooky season, and Adriana Mendez has another great list of events for you to check out this weekend! Go see Boo at the Zoo, take on The Hill Has Eyes (if you dare), or enjoy Spooky Hallow in Kenosha! Here’s the full list:
Halloween Legends & Lore | Old World Wisconsin
The Hill Has Eyes 2024
China Lights: Year of the Dragon, at Boerner Botanical Gardens
Phantom Lake YMCA
Wisconsin Whiskey Fest 2024
Baird Center
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Rockford IceHogs VS. Milwaukee Admirals
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
510 W. Kilbourn Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Boo at the Zoo
MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
10001 W BLUEMOUND RD
MILWAUKEE, WI 53226
2024 Home & Remodeling Show
Exposition Center at the Wisconsin State Fair Park
8200 W Greenfield Ave,
West Allis, WI 53214
Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert
Miller High Life Theatre
500 W. Kilbourn Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Fall Gallery Night
The Pfister Hotel
424 E. Wisconsin Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Lewis Black
Pabst Theater
144 E. Wells Street,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Halloween VIllage
Baird Community Commons
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Halloween Haunts at Wehr Nature Center
17-19, 2024
Entry start times range from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W College Ave,
Franklin, WI 53132
Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival
Oriental – 2230 North Farwell Avenue,
Milwaukee’s East Side
Spooky Hollow
880 Green Bay Road
Kenosha, WI 53144
SATURDAY
LIL WAYNE with Saweetie and Selfish Sons
Fiserv Forum
1111 Vel R. Phillips Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Flannel Fest 2024
The Cooperage
822 South Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
Rockford IceHogs VS. Milwaukee Admirals
UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
510 W. Kilbourn Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Shoot Hoops Not Bullets Celebrity Basketball Game
Doors open at 3 p.m. | Tipoff at 4 p.m.
Mount Mary University Bloechl Center,
2929 N. 92nd St., Milwaukee
Boos, Barks and Brews
The Explorium Brewpub Southridge
5300 S. 76th Street, Suite 1450A,
Greendale, WI 53129
FALL FESTIVAL – City of Oak Creek
Drexel Town Square
361 W Town Square Way,
Oak Creek, WI 53154
The Halloween Hoopla
1000 Northview Dr,
Waukesha, WI 53188
SUNDAY
Species Spooktacular
1111 E. Brown Deer Road
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Sesame Street LIVE
Miller High Life Theatre
500 W. Kilbourn Avenue,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Día de los Muertos
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Milwaukee Makers Market
910 N. Dr. MLK Jr. Dr.,
Milwaukee, WI 53203
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Exotic caracal found in Chicago suburbs finds new home in Wisconsin sanctuary
An exotic cat captured in Chicago’s northwest suburbs has been taken to an animal sanctuary in Wisconsin.
SHARON, Wis. – An exotic cat captured in Chicago’s northwest suburbs has been taken to an animal sanctuary in Wisconsin.
The Valley of the Kings Sanctuary and Retreat posted on Facebook Thursday that the female caracal, now named “Kabokey,” will be housed there permanently.
Kabokey was found unharmed on Oct. 15 hiding under a resident’s deck.
It’s still unknown where she came from, but according to Valley of the Kings, they believe Kabokey was either released or managed to escape.
“This poor cat was either released by the owner or she escaped. Kabokey is a very young cat and still has her baby teeth,” Valley of the Kings said.
Suburban homeowners where exotic cat was captured describe moment animal was spotted
The search for an exotic cat in Chicago’s northwest suburbs has come to an end.
Caracals are typically native to Africa, the Middle East, and other areas. Kabokey was spotted last week in Hoffman Estates.
The exotic cats can weigh up to 45 pounds and are known for their extreme athleticism.
Though the cats are adorable and sweet as kittens, they can pose dangers if raised in a home, the animal rescue organization said.
“They are adorable and sweet as kittens, yet as they age, and the way they are treated or raised, can kill families pets, and severely injur small children. They simply are not pets and majority do not use the litter box. Most states require county permits or federal permit to own one, Valey of the Kings said.
Caracals are not illegal to own in Illinois; however, House Bill 4446, currently pending in the state legislature, could change that.
Kabokey’s forever home will be at Valley of the Kings. However, they need to build new spacious outdoor enclosures for their smaller exotic animals, including Kabokey.
The cost for these enclosures can range from $35,000 to $50,000, the animal rescue organization said.
To learn more about Valley of the Kings, follow this link.
David Braun began his tenure as Northwestern’s head coach unceremoniously, receiving the interim tag after Pat Fitzgerald was fired before last season. Despite remarkably low expectations, Braun led the Wildcats to an 8-5 record and he’s now on a 5-year contract as the program’s full-time head coach.
Heading into this week’s matchup with the Badgers, Braun has been impressed with Wisconsin’s improved passing attack and offensive performance with quarterback Braedyn Locke, who took over for injured starter Tyler Van Dyke.
“They’re certainly a group that have found their groove. Well-coached, scary passing attack. They’re finding ways to run the ball really effectively right now, playing good defense, very sound on special teams,” Braun said this week. “You know, our group understands that we got a great challenge in front of us, but we’re excited for that challenge and excited to be at home.”
Wisconsin’s offense has averaged 47 points and 569 total yards per game in their last two games, which were blowout wins over Purdue and Rutgers. A big reason for the improved success has been Locke’s performance. He looks like he has found his confidence as the team’s full-time starter.
“I think the quarterback play continues to trend in the right direction for them. (Braedyn Locke) came in against Alabama. That’s a tough situation to be thrust into. But you can tell that he continues to play with more and more confidence,” Braun said. “You know, the O-line play is something that has certainly stood out and been impressive. The backs are running hard, running well. They’re creating some explosive opportunities in the run game.”
Over the last two weeks, Locke has completed 65.5 percent of his passes and averaged 299.5 passing yards per game with five total touchdowns and three interceptions.
The emergence of wide receivers Vinny Anthony II and Trech Kakahuna as legitimate deep threats has given Wisconsin fans a glimpse at the potential passing offense they were promised by offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Braun and the 3-3 Wildcats sound prepared for the Badgers’ best on Saturday.
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