SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WI (WTAQ) — Two Sheboygan Falls referendum questions have voters making decisions for the school district on the November 5 election ballot.
Question #1 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $78.3 million. These funds would go toward Elementary and High School improvement projects, including:
- Addition of a Community Fitness Center
- Addition of a 4-year-old kindergarten and childcare space at the Elementary School
- Addition of an expanded career and technical education wing at the High School
- Replacement of basic building systems
- Safety and security upgrades
- Upgrades to educational spaces
- Improvements to building finishes
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
If the first question is approved by voters, the estimated annual tax impact would be $1.33 per $1,000 of equalized property value.
Question #2 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $21.5 million. These funds would go toward recreation and athletic improvement projects, including:
- New auxiliary gymnasium
- Construction of a new multi-sport turf field (football, soccer, other) and competitive track / field events
- Site improvements to address grading and draining issues of outdoor athletic facilities
If the second question is approved by voters, it would have an estimated annual tax impact of $0.90 per $1,000 of equalized property value.
“If both questions are approved, the design process would last until late winter; the goal is to start getting shovels in the ground as early as spring,” said superintendent Zach Pethan. “The total project is anticipated to last for about two years.”
Pethan says that if one or both of the referendums don’t pass, the district will have to reprioritize its needs.
“We can try to defer maintenance, but the cost is only going to increase,” said Pethan. “Our kids and our teachers deserve to go to a school where they’re not having windows that are failing, roofs that are failing, and doors that don’t secure properly.”
For more information on the referendum, including a tax impact calculator, click here.
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