The look of an August referendum grew clearer Monday, as the Oconto Falls School Board considered a two-pronged approach to bring in extra funds for a bucketload of projects.
One potential referendum question would address the most costly and substantial improvements for the school district: a revamped entrance to Abrams Elementary, a sports complex that would include a football field and track, and parking lot updates at the district’s four schools and the district office.
School Board members discussed packaging these together in a long-term debt question that would ask voters to approve about $2 million, likely to be paid off with a 20-year loan.
The $2 million expense would include an estimated $1.1 million for a sports complex designed by representatives of Panther Pride, a community organization committed to developing athletic facilities for Oconto Falls student athletes. If a referendum would pass, Panther Pride would begin moving dirt in the fall, and construction could begin to the east of the district office in Oconto Falls in the spring.
A second major construction project is proposed at Abrams School entry, estimated to cost $785,000.
“That is putting every bell and whistle in there, if you wanted that,” School Superintendent Dave Polashek said. “That’s where you start, and then you come backwards.”
The district previously purchased the property south of the school where a now-defunct Methodist church stands, and School Board members have discussed tearing down the building to create a new school entrance.
“There is a need there,” Polashek said. “There is a safety issue with the way the street comes out to the parking lot; it’s a very bad angle. When you have big (school) programs there, you have parking issues.”
He said Abrams Elementary is the gateway to the Oconto Falls School District from the south, which is the direction the school district loses the most students to open enrollment. A new entry would make a better impression on people visiting the school, he said.
“I think it needs to be freshened up,” Polashek said.
School Board member Charles O’Harrow suggested coupling the Abrams renovations with the sports complex.
“To me, I think we’re coaxing two different parties to come along with us on this,” he said.
The long-term debt question might also include an estimated $300,000 to improve all of the parking lots in the school district, although the School Board may decide to do only the lots in the worst condition.
The School Board also discussed a second referendum question, which would ask voters for permission to exceed the revenue limit over the next several years by an amount yet to be determined. A yes vote on this question would allow the district to tax people at a higher rate than the state allows.
The School Board discussed multiple ways to use the extra funds if they are approved. Ideas included roofing, teacher pay, individual laptops for students and technology needs.
Polashek said the district’s priority roofing needs would cost less than $100,000 and include the roof above the high school library, where books were damaged after Monday’s rain showers.
“We need to get to the point where we’re going to refine exactly what it is we’re going to ask for based on the needs, and ideally what you want to do is put together a package that will be supported,” Polashek said.
School Board President Ron Leja recommended forming a citizens group to promote the referendum, should the School Board decide to pursue one. School Board member Ken Harter suggested getting outside help from public relations professionals to put together a campaign.
The School Board must pass a resolution by June 3 that includes the wording of a referendum question to have it placed on the Aug. 12 ballot. The board plans to meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the district office to discuss referendum proposals.
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