On April 5, Wild Rose-area voters approved both school referendum questions on the ballot. The comprehensive referendum plan will address needs that were identified in the facilities planning process and key priorities discovered through community engagement.
Approval of the referendum questions allows the District to invest in the most important educational needs identified through the planning process:
•Improving safety, security, and accessibility
•Uupdating infrastructure including adding air condi-tioning at the MS/HS
•Improving outdated educational spaces.
District Administrator Craig Hayes commented, “The District and the School Board are deeply grateful for our community’s ongoing support of our schools, students and staff. I’m happy that these referendum projects will have a positive impact on students at both our school buildings, as well as for the community. We’re excited to roll up our sleeves and get started on planning with the design team.”
Next Steps
•The design process will kick off this month with the District’s architectural and construction manager partners, and design planning will continue through Fall 2022.
•All projects will be competitively bid beginning in late Fall/Early Winter 2023.
•Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2023.
•The District will provide regular updates to the school board and the public on the progress as the projects moves forward.
Facilities Planning Background
Over the past year, the District has been assessing and evaluating options to address facility needs that are too large to be covered by the District’s annual operating budget. A district-wide community survey gathered broad feedback on a proposed plan for educational improvements at both schools. As a result of the positive support on the survey, the School Board was confident in moving forward with a two referendum questions to improve educational spaces for both today’s students and for the next generation.
Question 1 authorizes $15,600,000 for educational improvements, including a classroom addition, renovations, safety and security improvements, building infrastructure and site improvements at the Elementary School; as well as renovations, safety and security improvements, accessibility updates, and infrastructure, site and outdoor athletic facility improvements at the Middle/High School.
Question 2 authorizes $2,300,000 for HVAC upgrades including air conditioning at the Middle/High School.
Estimated Tax Impact
The estimated maximum tax impact for Question 1 is $0.60 per $1,000 of fair market property value, or $60.00 a year on a home valued at $100,000. The estimated maximum tax impact for Question 2 is $0.18 per $1,000 of fair marketing property value, or $18.00 a year on a home valued at $100,000.
If voters approve both measures, the combined estimated maximum tax impact for both questions would be $0.78 per $1,000 of fair market property value, or $78.00 a year on a home valued at $100,000.
Questions
If residents have questions about the referendum projects, they are welcome to find detailed information on the District website, or call the District office at 920-622-4201.
