Waterford school funding referenda rejected; projects sought $91M

Voters in the Waterford Union High School District rejected on Tuesday, Feb. 20 not one but two referenda totaling $91 million

The funding, had it been approved by voters, would have gone toward fixing aging infrastructure – including old pipes dating back to the 1950s that are in need of major repairs.

View the vote totals on the Waterford referenda

The first question was to invest $77 million inside the school. That money would include tearing down and rebuilding part of the high school campus that was an old elementary school. Fifty-four percent of voters said "no."

Waterford Union High School referendum plan

The second question was whether to invest $14 million for athletic facilities. That includes adding accessible parking, installing permanent bathrooms and moving the softball fields that are currently in a flood plain. Sixty-one percent of voters rejected this question.

Voters in Waterford rejected the last two, smaller referenda.

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Critics of the proposal told FOX6 News they're worried about rising costs – and rising taxes. For the average $400,000 home, a homeowner would have seen an extra $33 per month in property taxes – or roughly $400 per year.

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