Menasha Schools Pass $6M Referendum for 2026 Elections

Menasha Board of Education Approves $6 Million Referendum for April Election

Determined to balance their budgets, Menasha schools are seeking additional funding through a planned referendum. A decision made during a meeting of the Menasha board of education on January 12, confirmed that voters will be asked to approve an additional $6 million over six years.

The Menasha school board voted unanimously to place the non-recurring operational referendum on the ballots in the April 7 spring election. The additional funds are intended to cover the district’s ongoing operational costs.

Tax Impact on Menasha Voters

According to Brian Adesso, Menasha’s business services director, the tax impact of the proposed referendum would be an estimated increase of 5 cents per $1,000 of property value. For a property valued at $300,000, the school services portion of the yearly tax bill would increase by $15 for six years, based on the current state budget.

Adesso further commented that projections were also influenced by the Inflation Reduction Act funding of over $5 million, which was used to construct the Maplewood Middle School, an eco-friendly facility. The IRA funding helped to reduce the amount requested from voters, as confirmed by superintendent Matt Zimmerman.

Reasoning Behind the Referendum

As superintendent Zimmerman outlined in a Dec. 8 presentation, increasing operational costs have driven Menasha schools into a budgetary deficit. Although Menasha previously approved a $100 million referendum in 2022 for the construction of Maplewood Middle School, these funds were allocated strictly for building projects and cannot be used to balance the budget. Zimmerman highlighted the measures the district has already taken to manage its budget, like closing two schools, reducing building budgets, eliminating 39 full-time positions, and paying off debt early.

A December 2025 survey showed that roughly 43% of non-staff and non-parent Menasha voters were in support of a referendum, while 38% were opposed, with the remaining 19% unsure.

Other Wisconsin Districts Facing Similar Challenges

Menasha’s deficit issue is not unique, with several Wisconsin districts facing similar financial challenges. The Fond du Lac Schools, for instance, had to let go of 53 teacher positions following a failed operational referendum last spring. In Oshkosh, the district is considering cutting 23 full-time jobs. Meanwhile, Appleton schools, grappling with a $13 million budget deficit, are also considering a referendum. Coincidentally, the Appleton school board vote occurred on the same night as Menasha’s.

Additional Reading: Key Details on Voting in School Referenda