Referendum Day Is Coming
With the spring elections just around the corner, we ask our community to continue to be an active participant in the future of our schools by voting on April 2nd. Some of you may be heading out on vacation for spring break and may have concerns about voting. We remind you that there are options for you to vote, including the in-person vote on April 2nd. The best way to find out more about those options is to talk directly with your municipality’s clerk or visit www.myvote.wi.gov.
There are some important dates to remember.
· March 28, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m.- Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot- Regular and Overseas Voters.
· March 29, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m.- Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot- Indefinitely Confined and Military, not away from home.
· March 19, 2024, possibly through March 31, 2024 -Deadline for In-Person Absentee- Voters can possibly request and vote an absentee ballot in-person in their municipal clerk’s office through March 31, 2024. Office hours vary by municipality. Some municipal offices may not offer additional in-person absentee hours. Please contact your municipal clerk for absentee voting hours.
· April 2, 2024, from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - Register to Vote at Your Polling Place
· April 2, 2024, from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - Vote at Your Polling Place
· April 2, 2024, @ 8:00 p.m.- Deadline to Return Absentee Ballot
The ballot language for the referendum will read as this:
Instructions to Voters |
If you make a mistake on your ballot or have a question, ask an election inspector for help. (Absentee voters: contact your municipal clerk).
To vote in favor of a question, make an "X" or other mark in the square next to "Yes," like this: T
To vote against a question, make an "X" or other mark in the square next to "No," like this: T
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School District |
Question: Shall the School District of Iola-Scandinavia, Waupaca and Portage Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,300,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a district-wide school facility improvement project consisting of: building systems, infrastructure, safety and security improvements, including remodeling for secure main entrances; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?
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What We Can Expect with an Approved Referendum
Our community may be wondering what to expect if the referendum is approved on April 2nd. Activities will start immediately after the referendum.
The process of fully designing our projects will be the first task. From April 2024 to July 2024, the school district will work with our design and construction partners to detail and document our projects. This process will include a full District review of all aspects of the projects, including areas such as security measures and operational procedures. The design process is a collaboration with those that will ultimately utilize and benefit from the construction work.
The step following board and administration approval of the project design will be bidding. Our construction partners will competitively bid 100% of the projects from May 2024 through August 2024 with an emphasis on utilizing local contractors and companies that are familiar with the District’s buildings.
After the District approves the recommended contractors, construction will begin immediately during the summer of 2024. There are some parts of the project that have longer time periods to order, manufacture, and deliver. Those schedules have been factored into the overall timeline for design and construction. Work will take place on some of the aspects of the project while school is in session, but the work will not disrupt the education of our students. Any work to be completed when students are present will only take place after strict safety guidelines and coordination with school staff has occurred. All projects will be completed by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Throughout the entire process, the community will be updated on the progress of our projects, including recognition of significant milestones. We encourage our community to be involved and informed about these updates and improvements to our schools.