As Stevens Point School District administrators seek voter approval for a $23.1 million spending plan Tuesday, school officials in nearby districts will be hard-pressed to do the same in the near future.

Voters in the Nekoosa and Wisconsin Rapids school districts both approved referendums for capital upgrades in the past five years, but administrators can't see any more requests in the near future. The upgrades included building improvements and technology purchases.

"In the current economic climate, I don't know how we could ask our families to give more when they are worried about keeping a roof on their head and food on their table," said Wayne Johnson, superintendent of the Nekoosa School District. "Do we need it? Absolutely. Are we going to get by for a little bit? We don't have a choice."

The other major referendum available to school districts is to increase taxes for operational expenses. The Pittsville School District passed a three-year referendum to exceed the revenue limit by $175,000 each year for day-to-day costs.

On Tuesday, Stevens Point School District voters will be asked to approve a referendum for operational costs to exceed the revenue limit for the next three years.

While both referendums increase taxes for voters, they are very different to sell to the public, Wisconsin Rapids School Superintendent Bob Crist said.

"With the upgrades, whether it is the (Performing Arts Center) or a new elementary school or whatever, that's something tangible people can see and buy into," Crist said. "We could always use the extra money in our district, but right now, we're going to be doing OK without it. As far as what the future brings, I don't know. Ultimately, eventually, there will be a need for us for a referendum or many programs would be eliminated."

After participating in numerous public focus group sessions for Wisconsin Rapids School District residents, School Board President Mary Rayome got a good feel of how some members of the public feel about the future of their schools. But since they were so lightly attended, Rayome said an eventual referendum might be the best way to get the public's opinion.

"With Stevens Point, the community is going to tell them how they feel," Rayome said. "I think that's the only way you know; you can have all the listening sessions you want. If they vote it down, you feel, 'OK, they don't like how we are running, and we have to make some changes.'"