The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

The School District of Rhinelander’s third attempt to secure approval to borrow funds for facilities maintenance and upgrades has failed.

The referendum passed in all but two of the city’s precincts but the overall margin in the city, 261 votes, could not make up for the much larger 699-margin of no votes in the townships. The overall total on the main referendum question was 5,514 votes in favor of the referendum to 5,952 opposed.

Tuesday’s election saw nearly twice as many votes as in the September primary ballot. The higher turnout did not help the referendum’s cause as voters appeared to react even more strongly to the pressure of rising taxes and a deepening economic crisis.

School board President Chuck Fitzgerald said he would be in favor of bringing back a referendum in February with separate questions for classroom facilities and maintenance on the one hand and the proposed pool and four-station gym on the other hand, but he said the board would have to decide on its direction as a group.

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Comments »

Heres a thought wrote on Nov 7, 2008 11:40 AM:

" How about all the NO voters running for the school board? If you think you can do better than the current board, then your names better appear on the next ballot for the school board. It's so easy to criticize when you yourself are not doing the job. "

Former Resident wrote on Nov 7, 2008 9:42 AM:

" To Hoople:
"Is everyone in Rhinelander a descendent of the Clampets?" I would have to say that 80% can probably trace some lineage back to Jed. The other 20% come from somewhere else to at least keep the gene pool a little deeper. "

Hoople wrote on Nov 6, 2008 11:34 AM:

" To bad you are not in Minnesota, they don't have to rely on the uniformed and non-caring public to support a referendum or improve their district needs. If the board deems it necessary and for the betterment of the students then they do it. It is sad when supposed caring parents and adults are more concerned about spending a little extra for the future of their children.
Do something to make your students and community proud - your schools are the showcase of your community.
Our founding fathers that wrote the Constitution had it right when they said the "common" people do not have enough sense to make intelligent decisions and should not have the right to vote. That was just proven by your rejection for the referendum AND the election of Obama.
Is everyone in Rhinelander a descendent of the Clampets? "

Dear Mr. Fitzgerald wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:44 AM:

" I have a 1 yr old, when doing something wrong or dangerous I will tell her "NO" once. If she does not listen she will get her hand slapped. She doesn't attempt it for a third time. Things that make you go hum? "

Sad and disappointed mother wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:31 AM:

" I feel so sad for the children of this town. Why can't people put the past in the past?

To address the comment about the rich people of this town:

At least these people have a heart and use their money for good, instead of on cigarettes and in the local taverns. Interesting that this town can support the local tavern industry but not support our children.

I am not so sure I am a proud citizen of this town anymore. I am very disappointed in my community! "

Stop this -- wrote on Nov 6, 2008 6:58 AM:

" Time to move on and just teach our Kids.The local "RICH" people need to spend their time in their Churches doing their "good" deeds. We do not need their input on this issue anymore. "

Another Sad day but i understand.. wrote on Nov 6, 2008 6:24 AM:

" This is soooo sad! But i get it. I voted Yes because my son needs a good school to go to. I didnt have an option to NOT vote for the field house and pool So i weighed it out and Im sorry we need the updates to the schools so i voted for it.
If the YES folks are listening PLEASE can we do this again WITH OUT THE POOL & FIELD HOUSE!!! My child needs some new additions to his school! My son needs his education!!!!! When are we gonna take those OFF the ballot so we can get this going??? "

vern stein rhinelander wi wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:59 AM:

" bring it back to a vote in Feb. that's insane. how many times do the voters have to speak before the board gets the message. enough is enough. "

You got to be kidding me wrote on Nov 5, 2008 9:17 PM:

" How many more times are the citizens of Rhinelander need to have this brought up until the board finally realizes that we don't want it. It's time to come to the real world!!! "

engineer wrote on Nov 5, 2008 9:05 PM:

" Wise up school board. This thing is not passing because of the lack of facility maintenance and poor management of school resources in the past. Why should any taxpayer in this district give the board a blank check to screw up more facilities. Maybe you need new consultants and a new administrator. Better yet NO adminstrator. Use the money for maintenance. "

jim wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:18 PM:

" JEEZ!!! 3 strikes and your out! oh wait--not for the referendum I guess! School board President Chuck Fitzgerald said he would be in favor of bringing back a referendum in February? What doesnt he understand about what the people are telling him? Like some bad child that is told no, just throw yourself on the floor and kick and scream! The school board closed a school that was in decent shape and decided to move everthing in to a dump that is going to cost a lot of money to bring up to snuff. not very intelligent from people that are supposed to be educated?
They talk about swimming pools and a field house that dont do a thing as far as academics in our community. Ford had a better idea--they dont! "

As it turns out wrote on Nov 5, 2008 4:38 PM:

" NO actually does mean NO!

Take THAT, 'Vote Yes'!

Shocking, I know.

How much money did we waste on these referenda when they should have been separated out in the first place?

Poor management, poor planning.

But seriously, I've got a great idea: How about we blow a bunch more taxpayer bling running ANOTHER referendum? It's not like it's OUR money! "

Emily Briar wrote on Nov 5, 2008 3:24 PM:

" Sad to see this didn't pass again. If there is one thing Rhinelander needs, it's help with education. If this continues there will be no teachers willing to teach at schools in this condition. This is for the children who live and grow up in Rhinelander, this is your future. It's about time this town put money towards its children instead of WalMart. "

Local Taxpayer wrote on Nov 5, 2008 3:09 PM:

" Its about time you seperate the proposals in that way!!!! Wow did someone put a brain in their heads this time? "

sick of it.... wrote on Nov 5, 2008 2:27 PM:

" Enough is enough....I don't know about anyone else, but I am tired of getting this referendum pushed down my throat every 3-4 months. "

tired of it wrote on Nov 5, 2008 2:25 PM:

" Dear school board. Third strike! You're out! "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.