Wisconsin voters set a new record in 2024 by approving an unprecedented number of school funding referenda, according to a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. A total of 241 school referenda appeared on ballots across the state, surpassing the previous high of 240 set in 1998. These referenda requested an all-time high of $5.9 billion in funding, exceeding the former record of $3.3 billion from 2022.
Of these requests, 169 referenda gained approval, marking another record-breaking moment as it topped the previous high of 140 approved in 2018. Voters authorized a historic $4.4 billion in new funding for school districts, which included $3.3 billion in debt—a significant increase over the $2.7 billion record set in 2020 (unadjusted for inflation).
A total of 145 school districts, accounting for over a third of Wisconsin’s 421 public school districts, passed at least one referendum this year. The Madison Metropolitan School District led with the largest approved referenda, securing a historic $507 million debt referendum and an additional $100 million for operational needs. This widespread support highlights the state’s commitment to addressing school funding and resource needs.