Oconto County voters reject school referendums, other election results

Voters in Oconto, Gillett, and Lena school districts deny funding requests, while Cliff Martin wins another term as Oconto mayor.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:06am

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Voters in Oconto County, Wisconsin, rejected school referendums in the Oconto Unified, Gillett, and Lena school districts during the April 7 spring election. The referendums sought additional funding for ongoing expenses and maintaining current services. Meanwhile, Cliff Martin was re-elected as mayor of Oconto, and several school board races saw new faces elected.

Why it matters

The failure of the school referendums will force the affected districts to make significant budget cuts, potentially impacting educational programs and opportunities for students. The election results also reflect the political leanings of Oconto County voters and the priorities they have for their local government and schools.

The details

Voters in the Oconto Unified School District rejected a five-year, $1.2 million operational referendum, with 1,059 voting against it compared to 918 in favor. The Gillett School District's request for a five-year, $2.8 million to $4.3 million operational referendum was also rejected by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Lena Public School District voters narrowly rejected a five-year, $1 million per year referendum. Meanwhile, Cliff Martin was re-elected as Oconto's mayor, defeating Nick Badedick 712-394. Several school board races also saw new faces elected, including Nicole Blaskowski and Elizabeth Telford to the Gillett School Board, and Misty Gilbertson to the Lena Public School Board.

  • The April 7 spring election saw Oconto County voters cast ballots.
  • The Oconto Unified, Gillett, and Lena school district referendums were on the ballot.
  • Cliff Martin was re-elected as Oconto's mayor on April 7.
  • School board races in Gillett and Lena also took place on April 7.

The players

Emily Miller

Superintendent of the Oconto Unified School District.

Cliff Martin

The re-elected mayor of Oconto.

Nicole Blaskowski

Newly elected to the Gillett School Board.

Elizabeth Telford

Newly elected to the Gillett School Board.

Misty Gilbertson

Newly elected to the Lena Public School Board.

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What they’re saying

“The additional funding would have been used for ongoing, day-to-day expenses and would have sustained current services and opportunities for students.”

— Emily Miller, Superintendent, Oconto Unified School District

What’s next

The Oconto Unified, Gillett, and Lena school districts will need to make significant budget cuts to their budgets due to the failed referendums. The newly elected school board members in Gillett and Lena will take office and work to address the funding challenges facing their districts.

The takeaway

The rejection of the school referendums in Oconto County highlights the financial pressures facing rural school districts and the difficult choices voters must make when it comes to funding education. The election results also demonstrate the political leanings of Oconto County voters and their priorities for local government and schools.