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Tomahawk School Board Approves April Referendum Question at Lower Cost Published on 01/13/2021 under News

The Tomahawk School District is sending another referendum to voters at a slightly lower amount.

At last night's meeting, the board unanimously approved a pair of corresponding resolutions that place the spending request on the April ballot.

The district's current operational referendum is set to expire at the end of the year. In November, the district asked voters to approve a $3.5 million, four year operational referendum. With more than 6,000 ballots cast, the request was defeated by fewer than 60 votes.

This time around, the board followed the recommendation of administrator Terry Reynolds by lowering the request by a million dollars over the course of the four years or $3.25 million annually.

The Tomahawk School District isn't he only jurisdiction asking for funds this spring. The Lincoln County Board has already placed a request to exceed levy limits on the spring ballot, a point not lost on Reynolds who referenced the likelihood of voters approving two separate increases.

With a failed referendum already on the books, the district will increase their efforts to communicate with the public ahead of the April election. Reynolds says they'll be working with CESA on promoting the district needs via mailers and the district is also working on a video. This is in addition to their traditional media outreach and social media.

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Other than the referendum conversations, it was a relatively uneventful board meeting...

In his high school report, principal Ryan Huseby highlighted the freshman class which recently coordinated a drive for the food pantry. In the end they collected nearly $200 and 264 food items to be donated to those in need. The district was also on the receiving end of community generosity. Middle School Principal Wendell Quesinberry thanked Bob Zietlow at Wholesale Carpets who coordinates the local Toys for Tots. He says they were able to acquire some age appropriate gifts for some middle school students.He also offered appreciation to those employees at Harley-Davidson for their winter jacket donations, which has become an annual gift.

Administrator Terry Reynolds noted that the district has reached out to the Lincoln County Health Department to assist in vaccine distribution when it comes available to the public.

Lastly the board briefly went over the board candidates for the spring election recognizing Cathy Schmit who chose not to seek re-election and will end her term in April. No one filed papers for that seat which will likely fall to a write-in candidate.

In Other News

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