Appleton and Menasha School Referendums Pass Amid Statewide Funding Requests

Voters in two Fox Cities school districts approved over $1 billion in referendum funding.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:37am

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A vibrant, abstract grid of textbooks in shades of blue, representing the passage of school funding referendums in the Fox Cities region.Voters in Appleton and Menasha approved school funding referendums, reflecting strong community support for public education.Appleton Today

In the April 7 election, over 70 Wisconsin school districts sought more than $1 billion in referendum funding, including two in the Fox Cities region - Appleton and Menasha. Voters in both districts approved the funding requests, which will provide resources for school operations, facility upgrades, and educational programs.

Why it matters

School referendums are a critical way for districts to generate revenue beyond state and federal funding, allowing them to maintain and improve educational quality. The passage of these referendums in Appleton and Menasha reflects strong community support for public schools in the face of statewide funding challenges.

The details

The Appleton Area School District asked voters to approve a $92 million recurring operational referendum, while the Menasha Joint School District sought a $35 million non-recurring referendum for facility improvements and educational programming. Both measures were approved by voters, providing much-needed resources for the districts.

  • The school referendums were on the ballot for the April 7, 2026 election.
  • Appleton's $92 million recurring referendum was approved by voters.

The players

Appleton Area School District

A public school district serving the city of Appleton, Wisconsin and surrounding communities.

Menasha Joint School District

A public school district serving the city of Menasha, Wisconsin and surrounding areas.

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What’s next

The school districts will now work to implement the funding from the approved referendums, using the resources to support educational programs, facility upgrades, and other initiatives to benefit students.

The takeaway

The passage of these school referendums in Appleton and Menasha demonstrates the strong commitment of local communities to supporting public education, even as districts across Wisconsin face funding challenges. These investments will help ensure the continued quality and success of schools in the Fox Cities region.