Voters in the Shawano School District will put a $51.23 million capital referendum on the November 5 General Election ballot. The Board of Education approved the referendum resolution at its August 12 meeting.
The referendum proposal comes after a $54.5 million capital referendum was narrowly defeated by voters in the April 2, 2024 Spring Election. The new proposal focuses on the most critical needs and was refined based on community and staff feedback.
“Our facility needs still exist but we recognized that we needed to put together a proposal that responds to feedback from our staff and community,” said Superintendent Kurt Krizan.
The new referendum proposal eliminates space for a daycare program at Hillcrest Primary School, refocuses the high school projects on high-demand and high usage programs and areas, and includes renovations rather than additions to existing buildings.
The district again expects that an approved referendum will not increase taxes over the existing school tax mill rate. Because the District plans to pay off the debt from a 2015 referendum in the 2024-25 school year, the new referendum debt can be structured so that it will not add to the District tax rate.
The plan includes projects at all four District school buildings.
At the Hillcrest Primary building the plan calls for updating lighting to LEDs; replacing a fire alarm panel; exterior maintenance of brick and sealants; replacing the water heater; repairing damaged sidewalks and curbs; and updating the playground and inside play area.
The District administration offices will move to Olga Brener Intermediate School where space will be remodeled to accommodate the move. Other projects at the school include: accessibility, fixture and equipment updates to bathrooms; replacing old casework; replacing main electrical panels; updating lighting to LEDs; replacing the boilers; replacing commons air handling units; repairing damaged pavement; and improving the soundproofing in classrooms located in high-traffic areas.
At the high school, the plan calls for replacing doors and windows; replacing a generator; updating lighting to LEDs and updating controls; replacing boilers and pumps; installing a humidification system for woodshop and music areas for instruments; updating a dust collection system; replacing HVAC and controls and commission entire system; doing pool maintenance and replacing equipment; and improving parking and traffic flow.
In addition, there will be more space for technical education; improvements to performing arts classrooms and the auditorium; and relocated and remodeled family and consumer science area. A new location for the weight room will also be remodeled; showers will be reconfigured to create appropriate space for girls and boys activities; and classrooms will get new lighting controls, infrastructure for technology and repaired and replaced furniture where needed. To address the outside facility needs, a new track and event space will be built, and a new synthetic turf football and soccer field will be constructed along with a 2,000 seat grandstand with storage and a press box. A new entry plaza/concession and restroom facility will also be added.
The roof at Shawano Middle School will be replaced but the District is deferring a decision on any further investments in the building to monitor enrollment trends and analyze options for the future of the building.
This is a comprehensive plan that addresses a significant portion of the District’s deferred maintenance, and addresses the educational programming space that is needed for today’s students. The district’s website will host a majority of the information, and public information meetings are scheduled for: Tuesday, September 17 from 5:30 - 7 pm; Thursday, October 3 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.; and Monday, October 14 from 5:30-7 p.m. The meetings will be held in the LGI at Shawano Community High School.