Voters approve Pines referendum

Referendum passes with 67% approval
BY JOSEPHINE HINDERMAN
NEWS EDITOR

Voters in Vilas County have approved the Northland Pines District operational referendum
with a 1,294 to 633 vote during last Tuesday’s Spring Primary election.                   

The operational referendum will allow the district to exceed the revenue limit for operational purposes with $5.6 million per year for three years starting with the 2025-26 school year. This
referendum will replace the current referendum, passed in 2022, for $4.6 million per year.

District Administrator Scott Foster said that this is great news for both students and the future
of the district, as this will be an opportunity for improvements and maintenance of the district’s buildings, curriculum, and staffing.

“In addition to the money, the margin gives us confidence that the community values the

Foster adds that this operational referendum will also allow the district to continue focusing on higher academic outcomes, options in the classroom, and extra-curricular activities for students, maintain district buildings, retain and attract staff, open district buildings to the community, and maintain a focus on safety.

“We have been a district that is constantly trying to improve and this allows us to continue down that path,” he concluded. “(This vote) is also about how the community views that we are meeting their expectations and their investment of having a high quality school for current and future students.”

In a newsletter released following Tuesday’s primary, Foster emphasized the sense of community among staff, students, coaches and local businesses, saying, “The strength of
the district is our people and our continuous improvement mindset… Thank you again for the opportunity to serve the students, parents and community of the Northland Pines School District. We look forward to working together to make this an even better district and community.”

More information about the referendum can be found on the district website at https://www.
npsd.k12.wi.us/district/referendum-2025.cfm.

Other votes Also on the Spring Primary ballot was voting for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Education, with incumbent Dr. Jill Underly being challenged by Jeff Wright and Brittany
Kinser. While Underly won the popular vote in statewide polls with 177,397 votes, or about 38% majority, Vilas County results saw challenger Kinser coming out on top with 943 votes to Underly’s 830 and Wright’s 905.
Both Underly and Kinser will now be advancing to be put on election ballots for the April 1 general election.