Failed referendum leads to closure of 2 school in Portage (Wis.) district

The Portage (Wisconsin) school district is closing two elementary schools at the end of the academic year after the failure of a referendum that would have provided more funding.

Channel 3000 reports that the school board voted 6 to 1 to close Endeavor Elementary in Endeavor and Lewiston Elementary in Portage. The closures also will result in elimination of 21 staff positions.

Joshua Sween, district administrator for Portage Community School District, said the district had to reduce its budget after the referendum failed on April 7. The referendum would have provided $3.7 million a year for three years.