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REFERENDUM INFORMATIONAL MEETING
6PM TUESDAY CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Joe Dawidziak, District Administrator, 715-758-4850 or dawidjoe@bonduel.k12.wi.us
School District of Bonduel Board Adopts Referendum Question for the April 6 Ballot
BONDUEL, WI – January 6, 2020. At their January 4 regular meeting, the Bonduel School Board unanimously approved a referendum resolution, which is the official action taken to place a referendum question on the April 6, 2021, General Election ballot.
The referendum question asks voters for approval to borrow $12.5 million to invest in district-wide facility and educational improvements, which if successful, will result in an estimated mill rate increase of up to $0.16 cents per $1,000 of equalized property value.
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the debt portion of the school property tax bill will drop after the final payment is made for the 2008 referendum borrowing. As a result, this upcoming reduction in the loan payment, combined with low interest rates, allow the community to make a significant investment in Bonduel schools with a minimal annual tax increase projected to be $16 over the debt levy for 2020-21 per $100,000 of property value.
“We have a special window of opportunity to re-invest in our school buildings,” said School Board President Dennis Bergsbaken. “The referendum plan, which includes capital maintenance, secure entrances, site improvements, classroom renovations, and a two-court gym addition at the Junior High/High School campus, are necessary and positive improvements for Bonduel-area students as well as for our community.”
District Administrator Joe Dawidziak stated, “We are aware that facilities planning during the current circumstances is challenging, but as a district, we are also aware that the educational and maintenance needs are not going away, regardless of enrollment projections. We believe it is a good time to move forward with improvements that will benefit Bonduel students and the community for decades to come.”
The proposed plan would address renovations, building infrastructure, security and site improvements, and upgrades to educational spaces at the Junior/Senior High School and Elementary School. Details of the plan include:
Elementary School
- Remodel main entry to create a secure vestibule with electronic visitor management system.
- Replace aging exterior doors and frames.
Junior/Senior High School
- Remodel original 1952 and 1956 classrooms. Improvements include new window installation, floor and ceiling replacement, painting walls, replacement of original doors, frames, and cabinetry.
- Renovate all restrooms throughout the high school portion of the building by replacing ceramic floor and wall tile, plumbing fixtures, and toilet partitions and re-painting all walls.
- Construct a 2-court gymnasium with locker rooms on the main floor level.
- Remodel the existing high school gym. Improvements will include refinishing the hardwood floor, painting all walls, and replacing scoreboards, basketball goals, and ceiling fans.
- Improve handicap accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Install air conditioning in all high school classrooms and Sousa Hall.
- Upgrade ventilation system to improve air quality and humidity control in the lower-level fitness center and locker rooms.
- Replace the portion of the heating system that supplies the technical education classrooms.
- Replace the boiler which supplies the kitchen area.
- Renovate and unify building exterior by replacing existing windows, replacing areas of old plaster infill with new windows, replacing entry doors/frames, replacing fascia and soffit, and masonry restoration and tuck pointing.
- Renovate area of existing building to create a new, highly visible main entrance. Construct new entrance canopy and building signage. Replace exterior metal wall panels at perimeter of technical education classrooms.
- Convert existing bus garage into district maintenance shop and storage.
- Convert a portion of the existing storage building adjacent to the football field into concessions and restrooms for outdoor events.
- Improve site circulation and safety by resurfacing existing parking lots and drives and constructing new student and visitor parking areas.
How the Plan was Developed
For the past year, the District has been assessing the current state of Bonduel buildings, facilities, and sites. A facilities assessment was completed by Blue Design Architects in 2020 to identify areas of need. Staff input was collected over the summer. In November, the District created a community-wide survey to gather public feedback on the referendum plan. The survey results indicated the majority of respondents would support a referendum for infrastructure and educational improvements up to $12.5 million.
Learn More
A postcard outlining the question and proposed solution will be mailed to all district residents in February. In addition, informational meetings are planned for interested families and community members. Specific dates, times and locations for these meetings will be announced in the coming weeks.
More information will also be shared on the District’s website at www.bonduel.k12.wi.us. Questions can be directed to Joe Dawidziak, District Administrator, 715-758-4850 or dawidjoe@bonduel.k12.wi.us.
Referendum Press Release
Upcoming Meeting Information
Tax Impact
Referendum Postcard
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