In this episode, Rob DeMeuse and I break down the Spring 2026 school referendums in Wisconsin, what it all means, and so on. This is the last "Referenda" episode until the next school board cycle, so to keep up with my commentary on statewide and national education matters, subscribe to the School Perceptions podcast!
50. What Happens When Districts Can't Pass Referendums?
04/04/2026 | 38 mins.
Bob Soldner joins me to talk about how "district reorganization" processes work -- when districts dissolve or multiple districts consolidate. What should community members know? What does the state require district leaders to take into consideration? What happens to property taxes?
49. Why Can't We Be More Like Waukesha?
03/25/2026 | 40 mins.
TOTALLY UNRELATED TO UPCOMING ELECTIONS in any district! But this is where I look closely at Waukesha to see the sense that their recent structural and financial decisions have made, and to see how their constraints and affordances match up with our situation here in Tosa. LINKS! Waukesha's own planning process website (including links to enrollment reports, community engagement, etc.) Jan 12th, 2026 Long-Range Budget forecast Minutes from Waukesha's 11/12 board meeting where they voted to on a facilities-consolidation plan.
48. Tosa School Board Candidate Forum '26
03/04/2026 | 1h 58 mins.
From Monday night, February 2nd -- there's also a video recording if you prefer. I mainly wanted to get some clean audio out in public. Here are campaign websites for residents to visit -- in seating order, left to right, on Monday night: Heather Birk Liz Heimerl-Rolland Todd Koehler Melissa Lamers Chris Merker Dan Stemper Jason Wautier Lynne Woehrle
47. Parental Involvement, with Dr. Jess Calarco
02/27/2026 | 51 mins.
HOUSEKEEPING! There's a school board candidate forum happening Monday, March 2nd, 6:30-8:30 at Longfellow. If you can't make it in person, register for the Youtube livestream! References in this episode: Calarco, J. (2018). Negotiating Opportunities Calarco, J. (2024). Holding It Together. Daminger, A. (2025). What's on Her Mind?
For the second time in six years, an upscale suburban school district in Wisconsin is asking residents for millions of dollars to keep the lights on. This is the story of how we got here, and what we can do about it.
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