Cornell Residents Face High School Referendum Vote

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The small town of Cornell, Wisconsin is facing a critical vote on a $15 million referendum to fund the construction of a new high school. If the referendum fails, the aging high school building will be forced to close within 60 days due to fire code violations, leading to concerns that the closure could cause families to leave the community and businesses to shut down, turning Cornell into a 'ghost town'.

Why it matters

Rural communities across the country often struggle to fund necessary infrastructure projects like school renovations or replacements. The fate of Cornell's high school highlights the difficult choices these towns must make when faced with aging facilities and limited budgets, with the potential closure of the high school posing an existential threat to the entire community.

The details

The Cornell school district is asking voters to approve a $15 million bond measure that would allow them to build a new, smaller and more efficient high school. If the referendum fails, the school board has decided not to attempt piecemeal repairs, as the fire department has issued an ultimatum that the current high school building must be closed within 60 days due to fire code violations. This would force students to class-share with another district, raising concerns that families will leave Cornell, leading to business closures and the community becoming a 'ghost town'.

• The referendum vote is scheduled for the next election on March 26, 2026.
• The high school building will be forced to close within 60 days if the referendum fails.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.