Turning the Tide:
Winning Strategies for Referendum Success in Rural Communities

Breakout Session
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Description

In the April 2025 election, only 55% of Wisconsin school capital and operating referendums passed, a decline from the average 70% approval on April referendums over the past decade. The stakes are high for all districts but rural districts with limited property tax bases feel this impact most acutely. Without these funds, essential educational programs, staffing and operations are at risk.

This presentation will empower rural superintendents with actionable strategies to help win community support. Drawing from successful campaigns from Green Lake and Waupun to larger districts such as Manitowoc, CESA 6 will focus on:

  1. Rebuilding Trust: Practical steps to re-engage communities after a failed referendum, from transparent communication to community inclusion.

  2. Compelling Narratives: Crafting messages that resonate with voters, emphasizing the direct impact on students, schools and communities.

  3. Innovative Engagement: Leveraging social media, town halls and grassroots campaigns to build momentum and sustain support.

  4. Planning for Renewal: Preparing early for 2026, including strategies for managing voter fatigue and demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

Attendees will leave with customizable templates and engagement strategies designed to increase referendum success rates. Together, we can ensure that rural Wisconsin schools receive the funding they need to educate our children and sustain our communities.

PRESENTER: Lisa Sink - Communications Director at CESA 6

Lisa Sink, Communications Director at CESA 6, has provided strategic communication and marketing support to dozens of school districts around the state since joining CESA 6 in 2012. A former newspaper journalist who covered K-12 education, Lisa has a career of telling stories and building understanding and support through clear, concise communication. She has helped districts secure passage of operating and capital referendums.

PRESENTER: Hillary Day - Elementary Principal, Fennimore Community Schools

Hillary Day has been appointed as the Elementary Principal for the upcoming 2025–26 school year, bringing extensive experience and a strong commitment to rural education in Southwestern Wisconsin. For the past four years, she has served as the district-wide Assistant Principal for Fennimore Community Schools. Before returning to Fennimore, Hillary was the Elementary Principal and school counselor in Prairie du Chien, and earlier served as the school counselor at North Crawford, where she took on numerous administrative responsibilities. Additionally, she contributed at the state level through her four-year service on the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) Assistant Principals' Committee. Passionate about rural education, Hillary is dedicated to serving the students and families of Southwestern Wisconsin communities.