DELAFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- People in the Lake Country School District are headed to the polls to vote on the future of their schools.

It’s a $3.2 million operational referendum and district leaders say this funding is critical to keeping the school afloat.

CBS 58

“It just changes everything. It changes the community. It changes the kids,” said voter Lori Herbst.

For one final time, voters will decide if they want to keep the Lake Country School District open.

“I’m going to vote yes on this referendum. I voted no on the previous ones. I thought it was too rich, too pie in the sky. So, hopefully this is more realistic,” said voter Philip Schuman.

The $3.2 million referendum comes after voters rejected similar referendums in 2024 and 2025. If this referendum doesn’t pass, district officials say the district could run out of money by next year.

“I just think it’s really important to keep your local school, local community neighborhood schools open as long as possible,” said Herbst.

Voter Rae Nugent doesn’t have any kids in the district, but she taught in Lake Country for over 20 years and says she voted yes.

“I love that school. It is a beautiful building. The children are wonderful,” said Nugent.

The referendum would increase property taxes by 13 cents per $1,000.

“The cost of what they're looking for looks like a lot of money. But honestly, if you have a $500,000 home, it's going to cost you $5 a month," Herbst said. "You know, I mean, where else can you better spend $5 a month for educating our children?"

Herbst has grandkids in the district and says she’s voting yes, for them.

“It’s one of the top schools in Wisconsin for K-8. And I would really like to see both of them make it through K-8,” said Herbst.

Without new funding, state law would require the district to consider dissolving. The district has already cut $1.6 million from its budget, getting rid of programs like band. If the referendum does not pass, district boundaries could be redrawn and students could be bussed to other schools.

Voters say regardless of the outcome, they just want everyone to head to the polls.

“I think it's a shame for anybody to say that they didn't come and vote for anything. So the district is not the only one that suffers when we don't go out and vote,” said Nugent.