MADISON, Wis. -- Less than two weeks before Madison voters go to the polls on three school referenda, the battle lines are drawn. This campaign is marked with more emotion than any school referendum in recent memory, reported News 3's Toni Morrissey.

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Madison School Ref Debate Heats Up Ref. Info/Links What's On The Ballot?

A lot of people are out working, including volunteers representing a group called Vote No for Change. Yard signs in favor of the school referenda and signs urging no votes for all three questions are beginning to dot Madison yards, representing six different groups.

"The more people that are out working and getting the vote out, the better it's going to be for the city taxpayers," said Dorothy Borchardt, a Vote No spokeswoman.

News 3 Editorial Director said all the groups are confusing to voters.

ACE and CARE bill themselves as informational groups. Get Real is opposed to the referenda, and senior citizen group GRUMPS is urging yes votes. Madison Cares is also urging yes votes. And, of course, Vote No for change is opposed. ( Ref. Info/Links )

"The emotion seems heightened on both sides," Heinen said. "And I think both groups are sensing that."

Madison Cares spokeswoman, Beth Zurbuchen, said Wednesday, "I'm disturbed by people who are actively campaigning against public education in Madison who don't have children in the schools."

She was referring to Rick Berg, a conservative former school board member and now a Madison taxpayer and member of Vote No.

Berg and former alderwoman Dorothy Borchardt think voters are ready to say no to the school board and that's created the interest in the campaign.

"I think the stakes are higher, and I think everyone knows it," Berg said.

"I don't think they're part of a solution," Zurbuchen said. "How dare they come out two weeks before the election and just say vote no?"

A Vote No spokesman told News 3 that Madison spends nearly $13,000 per student -- 25 percent above the statewide average.

Zurbuchen defends the per-pupil spending saying the district has a large population of special needs students.

What's On The Ballot?

TALKBACK!

Whether Madison voters are leaning for or against won't be known until May 24, but there's no doubt the emotionally charged debate will continue until the last ballot is cast. What do you think? What will voters decide?

TALKBACK: Yes Or No?