Ashwaubenon referendum sinks Incumbent Scanlan is booted from the School Board By Michelle Kennedy News-Chronicle By a narrow margin, Ashwaubenon School District voters opted to not approve a $198,000 referendum for the operating costs of additions made to Ashwaubenon High School. The final unofficial tally showed 1,389 voted to defeat the action compared to 1,301 supporting it. The operating costs referendum was held off until this election so that board members could present firm numbers to residents. "We are obviously disappointed," Superintendent Jim Stillman said. "It's a heck of a way to try and fund education." Stillman said that the state-imposed revenue cap is a difficult issue to try to explain to voters. "We will just have to try and cut back even more," he said. "Maintenance will become an issue and larger class sizes will become more commonplace. We don't have a lot of options." Reluctant to continue having referendum after referendum, Stillman said that he is unsure what tack the School Board will take to continue to meet the financial needs of the district. The board may explore creating a foundation as a way to free up money for sustainable costs, he said. In the race for the school board, Incumbent Sharon Scanlan was defeated, having garnered only 1,229 votes. Bob Crowley, also an incumbent will keep his seat having won 1,509 votes, but newcomer Ginny Laukka was the top vote getter with 1,600. The Ashwaubenon School District is currently facing a $486,000 deficit. Laukka said during a candidate forum last week that the board would need to find ways to increase revenue. She encouraged looking at opening enrollment to more students from other districts, changing legislation and pursuing more grants.