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Referendum 2026

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School District of Holmen

2026 Operational Referendum

On April 7, 2026, voters will consider an operational referendum that would allow the School District of Holmen to exceed the state revenue limit by $4,525,000 per year for five years to support operations and maintenance, safety, and educational programming.

NO projected increase to school tax rate

The estimated school tax rate remains $6.94 per $1,000 of equalized value.

Election date: April 7, 2026 Type: 5-year non-recurring operational referendum

At a Glance

Amount
$4,525,000 per year

For five years (2026–27 through 2030–31).

Purpose
Educational Programming, Safety, Operations & Maintenance

Supports ongoing district needs and services.

Tax impact
NO projected rate increase

School tax rate projected to remain at $6.94.

Type
Operational referendum

Supports operations—not new building construction.

The Ballot Question

Official ballot language

“Shall the School District of Holmen, La Crosse County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $4,525,000 per year for five years, beginning with the 2026–2027 school year and ending with the 2030–2031 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses for operations and maintenance, safety, and educational programming?”

A “yes” vote authorizes the District to exceed the state revenue limit for these purposes. A “no” vote does not.

OperationalReferendum2026WebsiteBannerFINAL_1
Educational Programming

High-quality instruction and strong student support are at the core of what we do. Educational Programming focuses on academic programs, services, and staffing levels that provide every student in the School District of Holmen with opportunities for success.

This focus area supports the day-to-day learning experience of students, including classroom instruction, intervention services, career and technical education, special education, and student support programs. It also includes the educators and staff who deliver these services.

These investments are about protecting the educational opportunities currently offered to students, maintaining strong instructional programs, retaining high-quality educators, and continuing to provide effective, responsive, and student centered learning environments. 

 

Key Educational Programming Investments Include:

Classroom Instruction & Student Support (Staffing)

Educational programming depends on having qualified, dedicated staff in classrooms and support roles every day. Teacher and instructional staff salaries and benefits are a core component of educational programming.

Appropriate student-to-staff ratios are essential for personalized instruction, student engagement, and academic success. As enrollment needs, student services, and program demands evolve, these areas must also evolve.

This investment:

  • Supports retaining highly qualified staff
  • Promotes class sizes that support effective learning
  • Provides adequate staffing for student services, intervention, and special education
  • Sustains consistent course offerings across grade levels
  • Delivers personalized support for students with diverse learning needs

As staffing and benefit costs continue to rise, the district must invest in educational programming to avoid reductions that directly impact students. Strong instructional staffing provides students with the attention, support, and educational opportunities they need to succeed.

 

Academic Programs & Services

The School District of Holmen offers a wide range of academic programs designed to meet the needs of all learners.

This investment:

  • Provides core academic programs and instructional materials
  • Supports intervention and enrichment opportunities
  • Limits reductions in courses, electives, or programming options

Existing programs allow the district to continue meeting educational standards while supporting student growth, engagement, and future readiness.

 

Class Size Stability & Learning Environments

Class size plays a critical role in student learning and teacher effectiveness. Adequate class sizes require ongoing investment in instructional staffing to prevent overcrowding.

This investment:

  • Supports balanced class sizes across grade levels
  • Provides effective classroom management and instruction
  • Reduces strain on teachers and instructional staff

Adequate class sizes contribute to stronger learning environments and better outcomes for students.

 

Educational programming is about students — their learning, their opportunities, and their future.

Safety
Safety

Safety
Keeping students, staff, and visitors safe is — and will always be — the School District of Holmen’s highest priority.

Safety improvements funded through the 2017 referendum were fully implemented and aligned with the school safety standards and best practices at that time. Since then, safety expectations, technology, and best practices have continued to evolve.

This focus area invests in updating and enhancing existing safety systems to align with today’s standards — strengthening controlled access, improving visibility and communication, and modernizing infrastructure so our schools remain secure, responsive, and prepared.

Key Safety Improvements Include:

Updated Two-Stage Secure Entrances at All Schools

Front-door security plays a critical role in preventing unauthorized access. This improvement adds exterior cameras and intercom systems that allow staff to screen visitors before they enter the building.

Visitors first communicate with school staff through a monitored exterior entry point. Only after approval are they buzzed into a secure vestibule, followed by a second locked, camera-monitored door.

This investment:

  • Eliminates unrestricted entry into school buildings
  • Adds multiple layers of monitoring at entrances
  • Gives staff time to assess and respond
  • Reduces risk of unauthorized access
  • Maintains a welcoming but secure entry process
  • Aligns with current school safety best practices
 

Updated Door Fob and Access Control Systems

Reliable access control is essential for maintaining secure schools. This investment replaces aging door fob and access systems that can fail or limit control.

This investment:

  • Enhances door lock and unlock systems for better consistency
  • Allows faster updates to access permissions
  • Creates unified access management across all buildings
  • Reduces security gaps caused by outdated systems
  • Improves safety during and after school hours
 

Cameras in All School Buildings

Cameras are critical for maintaining safe, well-monitored learning environments. This investment fully replaces camera systems in all district buildings.

The current camera server has reached end-of-life, limiting image quality, retention, and reliability.

This investment:

  • Creates a single, modern camera platform districtwide
  • Improves image quality and incident review
  • Expands video retention and storage capacity
  • Allows faster, more reliable access for authorized staff
  • Supports quicker response during safety concerns
 

Bus Cameras

Student safety extends beyond the school building. This investment replaces all existing bus camera systems and equips every school bus with a minimum of three cameras.

District vans will also receive appropriate camera coverage using the same unified platform.

This investment:

  • Replaces outdated bus camera systems
  • Provides consistent, high-quality video coverage
  • Allows live and remote video access
  • Creates a single platform for buses and vans
  • Improves accountability and transparency
 

Why This Matters

Safety systems must work every time. These investments modernize essential safety infrastructure that supports protection, accountability, and rapid response throughout the district.

Operations & Maintenance
Operations & Maintenance

Operations & Maintenance
Well-maintained facilities and reliable staffing allow the District to meet student needs. This focus area supports the day-to-day operations of our schools, including the people, systems, and infrastructure required to keep buildings open, safe, and functioning.

This includes the long-term upkeep of the School District of Holmen buildings, grounds, and systems, as well as the staffing needed to operate and maintain them every day. Many of these needs can no longer be delayed or temporarily repaired and now require full replacement or reinvestment to ensure reliability, safety, and functionality.

These investments are about protecting the district’s existing facilities, attracting and retaining high-quality staff, extending the life of our buildings, and providing safe, efficient, and welcoming environments for students, staff, and the community.

Key Operations & Maintenance Investments Include:

Day-to-Day School Operations (Staffing)

Operating schools safely and effectively depends on having the right staff in place every day. Staffing costs — including salaries and benefits — are a core operational expense and fall primarily within the Operations & Maintenance focus area.

Approximately 75% of the operational budget for the School District of Holmen is personnel costs. Staff keep our schools running smoothly every day for our students. 

This investment:

  • Supports competitive salaries to attract and retain qualified teachers and staff
  • Provides benefits that allow the district to remain competitive with surrounding districts
  • Sustains continuity in day-to-day operations across all schools

To function and run smoothly, staffing is not an enhancement — it is the foundation of daily school operations.

 

Holmen High School 1993 Original Roof Replacement

Holmen High School was built in 1993. The roof and skylights over the older, original section of Holmen High School have reached the end of its useful life. Continued patching is no longer effective or fiscally responsible.

This investment:

  • Replaces an aging, failing roof system of the 1993 original section of Holmen High School
  • Prevents water intrusion and interior damage
  • Protects classrooms, instructional spaces, and equipment
  • Reduces ongoing repair costs and emergency fixes
  • Extends the life of the building and protects prior investments

In addition, a full roof replacement places the district into a 15–20 year manufacturer warranty period, significantly reducing future repair expenses and minimizing unexpected maintenance costs during that time.

 

Holmen High School Track Replacement

The existing track surface and underlying base have reached the end of their useful life and are no longer safe or suitable for competition. Because the track cannot be effectively repaired or patched, the School District of Holmen is currently unable to host competitions safely. Replacing the track foundation is necessary to restore safety and meet competition standards.

This investment:

  • Replaces a deteriorated, unsafe track 
  • Restores the track for school and community use
  • Supports physical education, athletics, and extracurricular programs
  • Meets compliance with competition and safety standards
  • Provides a durable, long-term solution instead of repeated temporary fixes

A safe, functional track supports student wellness and school pride while reducing long-term maintenance costs.

 
Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the School District of Holmen’s operational referendum.

View FAQs
The FAQ document may be updated as new questions are received.

Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to help. Reach out anytime for more information or clarification.

Travis Judell Communications Specialist School District of Holmen judtra@holmen.k12.wi.us