WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Voters across southeast Wisconsin are considering school district referendums on the ballot Tuesday - including one that would consolidate two high schools in a nearly $150 million move.
The West Allis-West Milwaukee School District wants to close Central and Nathan Hale high schools and build one main revamped building at Nathan Hale. The goal date of completion is 2026 and students would stay at their respective schools throughout the construction until it's ready.
District leaders say consolidating the schools will offer a number of benefits including saving money in the long run. The buildings are old and expensive to maintain. And with falling enrollment, they are looking to decline to around 7,000 students over the next five years. If passed, the district says taxes will go up to about $119 per each $100,000 home. Still, the district says the tax rate will not go up more than it did in 2020. For some, the move feels like the right one, but for others, the proposal doesn't address all the needs of the district.
It's important to note that last October, a survey of people who live in the district showed that 46 percent of them would vote yes, 35 percent would vote no and 19 percent were undecided.
In Tuesday's election, 81 school districts statewide have referendums are on the ballot. 43% of the referendums talk about the need to borrow money or issue debt, and 57% want to exceed the revenue limits imposed by state law. If all 81 referendums pass, the total price tag would be more than $1.3 billion.
Here's how to vote in the Spring Election on Tuesday, April 5
The Spring Election is Tuesday, April 5 and residents across Southeast Wisconsin are getting ready to vote.
Below is what you need to know to vote by absentee ballot, early voting and in-person on Election Day.
Absentee ballots
Thursday, March 31 is the deadline is request an absentee ballot by email, mail, online or fax. If you request a ballot by mail, a photo of an ID can be uploaded.
24-hour unstaffed drop boxes are closed this election to due a court order. Absentee ballots may be returned to any early voting location during voting hours.
Early voting
Early voting has begun and runs through Saturday, April 2. Voter registration including address changes end on Friday, April 1.
Three sites are open for early voting Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Midtown Center at 5700 W. Capitol Dr.
- Zablocki Library at 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.
- Frank Zeidler Municipal Building at 841 N. Broadway - Room 102
There are six other sites where there is early voting, open Monday through Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
- Bay View Library at 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
- East Library at 2320 N. Cramer St.
- Good Hope Library at 7717 W. Good Hope Road
- Tippecanoe Library at 3912 S. Howell Ave.
- Villard Square Library at 5190 N. 35th St.
- Washington Park Library at 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.
All nine early voting sites will also provide drive-up curbside ballot drop off on Saturday, March 26, and Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Polls on Election Day
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, April 5. You must bring your photo ID to vote. Find your polling place at myvote.wi.gov
Click here to view the City of Milwaukee's election website.
