Ladysmith Voters Decide $950,000 School Referendum Nov. 3
COMMUNITYLADYSMITH — Ladysmith voters will decide a five-year, non-recurring operational referendum for the School District of Ladysmith on the Tuesday, November 3 general election ballot, according to the district's back-to-school newsletter.
The Board of Education voted at its July 15, 2026 meeting to place the question on the ballot. If approved, it would authorize the district to exceed the state revenue limit by $950,000 per year for five years, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year and ending with the 2031-2032 school year, for maintaining current educational programs, student services and general maintenance.
The proposal would replace the district's current $600,000 non-recurring operational levy, which expires at the end of the 2026-27 school year. The $950,000 total is the existing $600,000 plus an additional $350,000, and the district estimates the additional amount at $10 per year on a property assessed at $100,000, beginning in 2027-2028.
The district says the funds are for day-to-day operations such as classroom instruction, student services, staffing, safety and building operations, not new buildings or capital debt, and that the $950,000 amount received the most support in a May 2026 community survey.