Dissolution of a school district
Wis. Stat. § 117.10
in effect(1) Initiation of procedures. A school board may adopt a resolution stating that it will consider dissolving the school district. The school district clerk of a school board adopting a resolution under this subsection shall send a certified copy of the resolution to the secretary of the board.
(2) School board action. In the first July beginning after the adoption of a resolution under sub. (1), the school board may order the school district dissolved by adopting a resolution ordering the dissolution. Failure of a school board to adopt a resolution either ordering or denying the dissolution before August 1 constitutes a denial of the dissolution by the school board. The school district clerk of a school board adopting a resolution under this subsection, either ordering or denying a dissolution, shall file a certified copy of the resolution as provided under s. 117.17 (2). A school board order under this subsection is not effective unless affirmed by the board under sub. (4).
(3) Advisory referendum.
(a) If the school board adopts a resolution under sub. (2) ordering a dissolution, an advisory referendum on the dissolution shall be held under this subsection if one of the following occurs:
1. At the time of adopting the resolution under sub. (2), the school board directs the holding of an advisory referendum on the dissolution.
2. Before the 2nd Tuesday of September following the adoption of the resolution under sub. (2), a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 requesting an advisory referendum, signed by at least 10 percent of the electors who reside in the affected school district, is filed with the school district clerk. The validity of the petition shall be governed by the rules promulgated under s. 8.40 (3).
(b) If an advisory referendum is directed or a petition requesting an advisory referendum is filed under par. (a), the school district clerk shall immediately notify the secretary of the board and the clerk of each city, village or town, any part of which is contained within the school district. The advisory referendum shall be held in the school district as provided under s. 117.20.
(4) Board review. After the 2nd Tuesday of September following the adoption of the resolution under sub. (2), if no advisory referendum is required, or after the advisory referendum, if one is held, the board shall review the dissolution and, before the following January 15, issue an order either affirming or denying the school board’s dissolution order. The order shall be in writing, shall include a statement of the reasons for the order and shall be filed as provided under s. 117.17 (2). If the board affirms the school board’s dissolution order, the board shall also issue an order assigning the school district’s assets and liabilities under s. 66.0235 (2c) (a) 1., and the school district’s territory, to one or more other school districts, and providing for the employees of the dissolved school district under s. 117.25 (3). If the board affirms the school board’s dissolution order, the school district shall be dissolved on the following July 1.
(5) Effect of new building construction. A school district may not be dissolved under this section if it has constructed a new school building within the 3 years immediately preceding the adoption of a resolution under sub. (2) and, on the date the resolution is adopted, the school district has outstanding debt for the building. This subsection does not apply if the school district to which the building is assigned under sub. (4) agrees to accept both the school building and the outstanding debt for the school building or, prior to the effective date of the dissolution, the building is sold and the debt is paid.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/117.10Fetched: 10/7/2026