Superior School Dist. Operating Referendum Approved For Nov. Ballot

SUPERIOR, Wis.– The Superior School Board has approved an operating referendum question for the November ballot.

This comes even after an elementary school was closed at the end of the last school year and more than 50 teachers, support staff and administration were laid off.

The district says the loss of funding from the pandemic and declining enrollment are two big contributors for a referendum.

Supt. Amy Starzecki described Tuesday what the future could hold if this referendum does not pass in November.

“We’ll see changes in our class sizes going up. Reduction in programs and certain supportive staff positions,” explained Starzecki. “We feel like we’re at a point where we’re going to ask our community, do you want to invest in our public education here in Superior to maintain class sizes and programs.”

Starzecki said the district will face a $2.5 million deficit for the 2025-2026 school year if the referendum fails.

If passed, a home worth $200,000 would see a $14 increase for the next two years, followed by $54 the third year, $108 the fourth year, and $158 in year five.

“Relationships between the teacher and the student are really the number one factor whether a child will be successful in a classroom,” added Starzecki.