Fall 2022 Referendum


On November 8th, 2022, voters approved both Appleton Area School District referendum questions on the ballot.
We are heartened by our community’s support of our current and future students. We cannot wait to get started on improving and innovating our buildings to support Success for Every Student Every Day.

The approved $129.8 million capital referendum question will allow us to expand, renovate, and modernize our schools. Several projects will begin the design phase immediately with construction to start next summer.  The design and construction of all of the projects will be staggered over the next two and a half years.

Projects will include: 

  • Modernize our four middle schools, add capacity to allow for 6th grade to move into our middle schools, and update Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) areas 
  • Build a new elementary school on district-owned property to accommodate enrollment growth on the north side, allow for reduction of Kindergarten-2nd grade class sizes, to facilitate the transition of 6th grade to our middle schools
  • Complete individualized projects at each elementary school to create a STEM space, improve security as needed, and update available spaces
  • Build additions and complete renovations at our three high schools 

The approved operational referendum provides increased annual funding of $5 million to pay for:

  • STEM staffing, which will include twelve elementary teachers and four middle school paraprofessionals 
  • Kindergarten-2nd-grade class size reduction to reduce average class sizes from 25 to 1 to 20 to 1
  • Staffing and ongoing utility, cleaning, and maintenance costs for new spaces

We could not have done this without the work of our Future Needs Advisory Committee, Focus Group participants, our families, and our community members. Thank you to all who shared information, attended listening sessions, and offered feedback. 

This strong support directly reflects our community’s commitment to high-quality public schools. Current and future students will benefit from your support. We know that when our students succeed, our community succeeds as well.

Progress, timelines, and updates on referendum projects will be shared on our district website. We encourage you to follow along to see our community’s investment in action. 

Thank you for your support,

Signature
Greg Hartjes
Superintendent of Schools

Thank you for Voting!

Certified Referendum Election Results

Unofficial Election Night Results

Notice of Election

Ballot and Voting Information
Sample Ballot

Referendum Fast Facts   
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What's In It for Your School?

View Our Playlist of Referendum Informational Videos

Revised Financial Impact (October 18, 2022)

Appleton-area voters supported both the operating referendum AND capital referendum. The estimated increase to the school portion of your local property taxes is $0.04, or $4 for each $100,000 of a home’s value.



Are you interested in a longer, more thorough breakdown of the revised financial impact of the referendum? Check out this longer explainer here.