Greendale School Board Approves $33.8 Million Referendum Question

GREENDALE, WI — The Greendale Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution to place a referendum question on the November 6 General Election ballot.

The District will be asking the community to invest up to $33,800,000 for District-wide facilities improvements representing an annual tax increase of $1.11 per $1,000 of property value.

Academic base plan improvement projects in all five of the District’s school buildings will focus on:

• Increasing School Safety and Security
• Improving Learning Environments
• Creating Flexible and Adaptable Workspaces
• Improving Building Efficiency and Sustainability

“Greendale residents are outstanding supporters and advocates for the schools, rallying behind our teams, musical programs, and promoting student celebrations and success,” said Joe Crapitto, President, Greendale Board of Education said in a prepared statement. “With this referendum, we are asking the community to support a major facility improvement proposal to help keep our educational spaces relevant and viable for the type of learning we expect now and for future generations.”

The district began the facilities planning process in spring 2016 by conducting a study to evaluate the condition and lifespan of its school buildings. It's included a Community Visioning session, the development of a facilities advisory team and school tours and focus groups to help determine community priorities on its school facilities.

The process culminated in a survey asking all Greendale residents for their input on how to improve school facilities. The survey results reported that more than 60 percent of the 1,074 people who responded would support a $33,800,000 referendum to address projects in the academic base plan.

The plan includes the construction and renovation of academic, cafeteria and multipurpose room spaces at Canterbury, College Park and Highland View Elementary schools, renovations to athletic, music and tech education areas at Greendale Middle School, and construction of music instructional spaces and an event lobby at Greendale High School.

District-wide safety and security improvements include secure main entrances and parking, traffic flow and site circulation improvements at the elementary schools, in addition to capital improvements at all schools such as ADA Code compliance and HVAC updates.

More information on the referendum is available on the District website, www.greendale.k12.wi.us/referendum. Questions can be sent by email to referendum@greendale.k12.wi.us.

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