Leader Staff
Shawano School District officials are urging voters to remember their photo ID cards when heading to polls Tuesday for a referendum on middle school renovations.
It will be the first election cycle since Wisconsin state lawmakers imposed identification requirements for anyone wishing to cast a ballot.
The middle school referendum is the only issue on the ballot in Shawano.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday for voters to decide whether the school district can borrow $9.25 million to replace the heating system and make other improvements to Shawano Community Middle School. If approved, the referendum also will pay for renovations to the school’s front entrance, kitchen and cafeteria areas, gymnasiums, student locker rooms, band and orchestra rooms, restrooms and more.
Paying off the project over the next 20 years would require a property tax increase of about $35 a year — less than $3 a month — for the owner of a $100,000 home.
It is the school district’s first referendum since 2010.
Polling places will be open in Shawano, Washington, Wescott, Waukechon, Richmond and Belle Plaine. Voters in Pella are being redirected to Belle Plaine, while those in Herman should go to Richmond and those in Navarino should go to Waukechon.
The county clerk’s office has conducted training with local clerks to make sure they know how to administer the new photo ID requirement.