Frequently Asked Questions Why is now the best time to update our facilities? The Long Range Planning Committee and the District determined there is a compelling need to renovate our Middle and High Schools. The District has been good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars allowing for the debt from the 1999 elementary school project to retire early, which creates an opportunity to renovate our facilities without a large fluctuation in the tax rate. Additionally, interest rates are at a historic low. Why does the learning environment need updating? Tech Ed - There is a growing demand for skilled trades and professionals in manufacturing, engineering and design in our region. Our goal is to integrate more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education into our traditional technical education program. However, the current layout of our classrooms limits the ability to incorporate technology and equipment to provide hands-on learning.
Why does the Middle School need a new gym? The current middle school gym is inadequate to meet the physical education needs of middle school students. Specifically, the height dimensions of the ceiling limits the curriculum options of our physical education classes and after school activities. Constructing a new gym with appropriate dimensions would enable us to fully utilize the gym area with classroom activities and sports, as well as recapture the lost gym space that occurred during the remodeling of the High School, which turned Rose Hall into the library and theater.
KEWASKUM
With Kewaskum Career Academy (KCA) in the conceptual plan of the High School, what would become of the current KCA? By moving the KCA back into the High School, we would be able to move the district office space into the KCA building. This would allow the District to save on rent costs associated with the use of the Regal Ware building. Why do you need more space? Kewaskum Middle School was built in the 1970s when the enrollment and learning space considerations were much different. Per School Planning & Management’s 20th Annual School Construction Report, the regional median square feet per student at the middle school level is 207.2. With a student population averaging just above 400 students over the last few years, the “right-sized” middle school should be between 80,000 to 85,000 square feet. Our current middle school is roughly 58,000 square feet. The new construction, which would connect the middle and high schools, would help make KMS the “right-size”. The addition would include science labs that would allow all students to participate in labs and a gym that would allow the physical education teachers to have the appropriate amount of space to effectively deliver their curriculum for both of their individual classes. Why haven’t you been able to take care of capital projects in the year-to-year operating budget? Wisconsin school districts have been subject to State imposed revenue limits since 1993. Kewaskum, like most school districts in the State, works hard to balance the budget on an annual basis and keeps spending within these revenue controls. However, it is difficult to fund large scale capital projects, including renovations and additions to facilities, within the constraints of the normal operating budget. This creates the need for referendum approval by the taxpayers of a school district. The Board of Education did not believe stacking more debt on top of the existing elementary school debt was fiscally responsible. If the 2016 referendum is successful, the repayment of the new debt will begin after the 1999 elementary referendum debt is retired.
I G N I T I N G A PA S S I O N
FOR LEARNING
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
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Additionally, the Middle School currently uses a hallway as the cafeteria. The area is too small for the student population, requiring students to be served lunch over multiple periods. Re-purposing the current gym into a larger cafeteria area would allow for more efficient serving and increased seating, as well as allow for a needed large group instruction area for classroom activities and community use. With the middle school kitchen located next to the gym, the most cost-effective way to create needed cafeteria space is to re-purpose the current gym. What would be the expected start and finish date of the project? It would take approximately 8-9 months to design, engineer, and bid the project. We anticipate construction would start in the Summer of 2017 with a completion date in the Fall or Winter of 2018.
RENDU FE M
Classroom Renovations - Many classrooms have remained untouched for more than four decades. Due to their age, the classrooms have insufficient lighting, poor acoustics, inadequate ventilation and lack sufficient electrical capacity to support technology. In addition, they do not provide the flexibility needed for large group and small group collaboration.
RE
Science Labs - The school science facilities have not been updated since they were originally built. The labs are too small and many plumbing fixtures, gas jets, electrical infrastructure, and work stations are worn out and need to be replaced. The spaces were not designed to support the current science classes nor any new offerings.
O V. 8 T H
November 8, 2016 Referendum The Kewaskum School District believes the success of its schools is based on the support it receives from the hardworking and engaged community members, parents, students and staff. We work in harmony to build a brighter future for our children! To continue strengthening your schools, the School Board has actively involved the community over the past four years. During the past 14+ months, this included formation of a Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) consisting of 50+ parents, staff and community members, which conducted a facilities-focused community survey. The LRPC spent eight months identifying needs and exploring solutions for the middle and high schools. They determined that both schools are no longer conducive to support today’s learning and teaching, have building systems beyond their useful life, and infrastructure that is in need of significant repair and/or replacement. The School Board, after carefully considering the work of the LRPC and the findings of the community survey, unanimously agreed to place a $28,420,000 referendum on the November 8, 2016 ballot. This question, if passed, will address the following needs: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Building systems – HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and lighting Infrastructure – technology wiring, roofs, flooring, and walls Learning spaces – upgrades needed to better support use of technology and flexible learning environment Safety and security – secure entrances, parent drop-off/pick-up, and fire life/safety enhancements
The Question | As It will Appear on the Ballot Shall the Kewaskum Area School District, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Washington Counties, Wisconsin, be authorized to issue, pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $28,420,000 for the public purpose of paying for the cost of site improvements, new construction, renovation and modernization of Kewaskum Middle School and Kewaskum High School and acquiring furnishings, fixtures and equipment related to same?
The Need & Solution Although our schools have been well-maintained, many parts of the Middle School’s and High School’s infrastructure are over 50 years old and have reached the end of their useful life, resulting in inefficiencies and ongoing repairs. In addition, to continue to provide safe and secure school buildings that appropriately support the way today’s teachers teach and students learn, both schools need renovation to learning spaces and an addition to connect the two schools. If passed, this referendum will allow the District to address the areas depicted in the plans below and to the right.
CONCEPTUAL FLOOR PLAN COLOR KEY
Classrooms
8th Grade S.E. Off.
8th Grade Foreign Lang.
Comp. Class.
Foreign Lang. Speech Resource
OT / PT
Staff S.E. 7th Lounge Off. Grade Flex. Class.
6th Grade
SGI
Life Skills / Sp. Ed.
Collaboration
Girls' Locker Room
MS & HS Band
Chorus
SGI
Chemistry
Classrooms
Classroom
7th Grade 6th Grade 8th Grade Science Science Science Classroom Classroom Classroom
MS Choral
ESTIMATED TAX IMPACT ON PROPERTY WITH FAIR MARKET VALUE $0.19 MILL RATE INCREASE OVER 2016-17
$100,000 Home Value
Main Off. & Guidance
Stage
Cafeteria
Library
Auditorium
Kitchen
6th Grade
Art
Art
Print Shop
Conf.
Com. Lab
Tech. Office Off.
Main Off. & Guidance
STEM / Tech. Ed.
Estimated Annual Increase
$19.00
Estimated Annual Increase
$28.50
Estimated Monthly Increase
$1.58
Estimated Monthly Increase
$2.38
Graphic Arts
Staff
F.A.C.E.
Class
Conc.
$250,000 Home Value
Estimated Annual Increase
$38.00
Estimated Annual Increase
$47.50
Estimated Monthly Increase
$3.17
Estimated Monthly Increase
$3.96
Assumptions: 20-year borrowings (debt issued in two phases); average interest rate of 2.75% (phase 1, 2017) -3.25% (phase 2, 2018); 2016 equalized property valuation of $1,225,878,433; 1% annual property value growth; -11.57% tertiary aid. Tax estimates provided by PMA Securities, Inc.curities, Inc. Fitness Training
Why Now?
FACE
Art
$150,000 Home Value
$200,000 Home Value
Special Ed.
6th Grade
Library Books
PE Boys' Storage Locker Room Conc.
Toilets
6th 6th Grade Grade
8th Grade
Ag. Science
T.
8th Grade
Biology
Physics Business Ed.
1. The District received its 2016-17 State Aid which increased by 2.6%. This will allow the District to prepay a greater portion of the debt from the 1999 referendum resulting in paying off the 1999 debt one year earlier, all while maintaining a level tax levy.
Greenhouse
Biology
Classrooms
= INFRASTRUCTURE + BUILDING SYSTEMS UPGRADES
Gymnasium
The original tax impact of $0.36 was based on conservative assumptions. As the voting date nears, the School District is able to update the information to clarify the original assumptions.
With these revised assumptions, the projected tax impact is $0.19. If the referendum passes, this projected tax impact would be reflected on residents’ December 2017 tax bills.
T.
= RENOVATION
Classroom
CHANGES TO THE DEBT LEVY TAX RATE
2. Interest rates continue to hold at historical lows. The District, along with its Financial Advisor, is confident in adjusting the original interest rate assumption of 3.25% to 2.75%. This rate is still conservative based on recent Wisconsin school district bond sales.
= ADDITION
8th Grade
UPDATED TAX RATE
The Cost | Not to Exceed $28,420,000
Tech. Ed. Kewaskum Career Academy
Cafeteria & Large Group Instruction (LGI)
Lockers
Kitchen
Gymnasium
Men's Locker Room
Tech. Ed. Shop
Storage Storage
Women's Locker Room
• The District is taking proactive measures to pay off the debt from the 1999 referendum between now and 2019.
• We are in a historically low interest rate environment.
• Through strong financial management by both administration and the Board, the payments on existing debt are projected to drop significantly in 2018.
• It’s an investment in the children and the community.
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Facilities Planning Timeline SEPT. 2013
Community committee focused on strategic planning.
Visionary committee created.
SPRING 2014
FIRST FLOOR PLAN - OVERALL
KEWASKUM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
• The Long Range Planning Committee identified the need to provide our students with larger, flexible, technology rich spaces that will prepare them for success in an increasingly competitive global economy.
• This decrease in existing debt helps to minimize the impact of any potential new debt, creating an opportunity to wrap new referendum debt around the drop in existing debt.
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OCT. 2012
• Construction costs continue to rise.
First community survey distributed.
JULY/ High School Kewaskum Middle 2015 Kewaskum, WI
AUG. 2014
APR. 2015
Preliminary facility study conducted.
Comprehensive facilities assessment completed.
MAY 2016
August 22, 2016 Long Range Survey distributed to © 2016 Bray Associates Architects, Inc. Planning Committee community members. (LRPC) created.
JULY 2016
AUG. 2016
LRPC made recommendation to the School Board.
Board of Education unanimously approved referendum vote.
IGNITING A PASSION FOR LEARNING
