District overview
School District of Washburn
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is the Washburn school district paid for?
The School District of Washburn runs the public schools in Washburn, on Lake Superior in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. Wisconsin's revenue limit caps how much a district can raise from state aid and local property taxes together. Washburn's enrollment is falling, so its limit is shrinking while costs rise. To spend more, the district must ask voters. In November 2024 voters approved a capital referendum for the middle/high school. On November 3, 2026 they decide on an operating referendum.
Operating referendum
$900,000 in 2026-27, rising to $1.5 million in 2029-30, for four years: $4.8 million in all.
Projected deficit
About $600,000 next year and up to $1.5 million over four years, the superintendent said in June.
Short-term borrowing
A $750,000 line of credit; about $50,000 in interest expected this year.
Electors vote on the levy
At the October annual meeting, residents adopt the tax levy and set board pay; the board adopts the budget.
The district met expectations on state report cards in fall 2025, and the board still approved a 2.63% raise for staff.
Where the district stands
$0.9M, $1.1M, $1.3M and $1.5M for 2026-27 to 2029-30.
District estimate; per year.
Principal payments run to March 2046.
Major projects
November 2026 operating referendum
on the ballotAsks voters to let the district exceed its revenue limit for four years for operating and maintenance costs.
- Finance focus group created
- Board puts the question on the ballot
- Annual meeting adopts levy options with and without referendum
- Election day
Funding
Local property taxes above the state revenue limit, if approved
Middle/high school renovation
underwayWork approved in the November 2024 capital referendum, including a new entrance and main office. Crews are on site for 16 to 18 months from June 2026.
- Bids received; note sale parameters approved
- Final note resolution
- Construction starts
Funding
November 2024 capital referendum; general obligation promissory notes (up to $4.48 million)
Recent news
All 40 collected official records from October 2025 to October 2026: board agendas and minutes listed on the district's School Board page, the 2025 and 2026 annual meeting materials, the November 2026 referendum notice, and 9 board meeting recordings reviewed through YouTube's automatic captions.
Get alerts for School District of Washburn
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
Copy the RSS link into your feed reader to get new published alerts.