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52 percent vote ‘no’ in River Ridge school facility referendum

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Raisbeck, Mumm make school board

By Correne Martin

For the second time in five months, the voters of the River Ridge School District turned down a facility referendum—this time a $9.9 million proposal that would have created one PreK-12 campus at the Patch Grove site and included additions, remodeling and health and security improvements.

In Tuesday’s Spring Election, 731 residents (or 52 percent) voted no, while 668 (or 48 percent) voted yes—a difference of 63 votes. These are unofficial results as of Wednesday morning. Canvassing will be done on Monday.

This referendum was significantly closer upon the final tally than the one held in November, which asked the electorate to approve spending $13 million. In that election, 64 percent of the constituents disagreed with the referendum, while 36 percent voted in favor.

Tuesday’s failed referendum means the school board will need to immediately move forward with how it’s going to rectify the state-mandated repairs and upgrades for code violations, which include electrical needs and fire hazards, air quality concerns, ADA compliance, some mold and asbestos, and other health and safety issues. A plan B must be provided to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services as soon as possible.

The facility referendum wasn’t the only hot button section on Tuesday’s ballot, as voters were asked to decide between four district residents for two seats on the school board. Cory Raisbeck and Emilie Mumm will join the board after receiving 729 and 708 votes, respectively. Both are newcomers who will replace Bob Mathre, who lost his re-bid in the February primary, and Bob Key. Also vying for those spots were Justin Campbell, who received 667 votes, and Jason Drone, who received 653. These are unofficial results as well and will be confirmed at the time of canvassing.

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