In just a few days, Rhinelander residents will be asked to allow their school district to spend close to $23.5 million.

The funds will be used for maintenance and upgrades at five different schools throughout the district.

According to Roger Erdahl, the superintendent of schools, many upgrades are long overdue. He says because the district has continuously chipped away at most of their debt, they're now available to borrow the money.

The district has about $100,000 left in debt and have paid off about $1.9 million per year.

"If the referendum is successful and we are authorized to borrow the 23.5 million, local taxpayers will see no increase on their taxes as a result of that," said Erdahl.

He says last April's referendum asked for $35 million, which would have increased local property taxes....and failed as a result.

He's hopeful this time will be different. Voting takes place during the partisan election next Tuesday.