$79.4M referendum project is 76% spent or committed, with major 2026-27 work underway

What happened

Madison Public Schools reported that $42,155,505.68 of its $79,357,685 referendum has been spent and another $18,306,467.37 encumbered, leaving $18,895,711.95 (24%) remaining. The current Phase VI school-year work includes HVAC upgrades at Central Avenue School, Kings Road School and Madison Junior School, plus fire-alarm and PA upgrades at Torey J Sabatini School and Madison High School; Phase VII work is planned for summer 2027.

Why it matters to families

The referendum is a districtwide, nearly $80 million facilities program affecting building conditions, accessibility, safety systems and instructional spaces. The update gives families a concrete accounting of the funds remaining and identifies construction that may affect school operations during 2026-27 and subsequent summers.

The evidence

The official referendum update lists total referendum funds of $79,357,685, $42,155,505.68 expended, $18,306,467.37 encumbered, $60,461,973.05 (76%) expended or encumbered, and $18,895,711.95 remaining. It identifies Phase VI 2026-27 work at Central Avenue School, Kings Road School, Torey J Sabatini School, Kings Road School, Madison Junior School and Madison High School, and Phase VII summer 2027 projects including casework, HVAC, electrical-panel, parking-lot and playground work. Source: Madison Referendum Update dated September 15, 2026.

The source