School Referendum Drops By $4 Million

The Muskego-Norway School Board reviewed school improvement plans that would drop potential funding costs to $29.9 million, down $4 million from the original proposed costs of $34 million, according to Muskego Norway Schools Superintendent Joe Schroeder.  

At the Board meeting on Monday, July 17, school officials offered four options to reduce project costs after voters turned down the $34 million referendum in November, 2010.

While there arguably has been community-wide agreement that the District must address aging and cramped schools, Board members have stated repeatedly they believe voters see the value and need to improve school facilities but also want to ensure the most fiscally sound and responsible path is chosen.

Two options for addressing community needs appeared to be frontrunners favored by the Board.

In one possible scenario known simply as Option 2, funds would be directed to 4 sites:  1) A new Bluhm Park Elementary School would be built to hold 650 students and provide road access to McShane Drive. 2) Mill Valley Elementary would be expanded & renovated to bring its capacity up to 450 students. 3) A secure entry would be installed at Bay Lane/Country Meadows. 4) A new gym, secure entry, and HVAC system would be added to Lakeview Elementary.

The other option, Option 3, copies Option 2 on all parts except Bluhm Park Elementary would serve 550 students instead of 650, and Mill Valley Elementary would be expanded/renovated to serve 550 students instead of 450.

Option 2 would cost up to $34,360,000 , while Option 3 could carry a total price tag of up to $34,720,000. That total would drop to $29.9 million, however, if the Board uses $5 million from its existing fund balance to pay down the costs and receives favorable bids on the projects.

Superintendent Schroeder said the fund balance could be replenished upon the sale of two existing structures that will be retired under the new plans: Muskego Elementary and Tess Corner Elementary Schools. 

Board members Eric Schroeder and Dean Strom expressed concern over short-term borrowing that would have to take place in order to fund the project. Eric Schroeder in particular appeared concerned with ensuring that the request posed to voters would come in at under $30 million.

There was also discussion by Board members on the best time to hold a referendum. The consensus appeared to target November as the best choice, citing concerns that a spring referendum could cause unnecessary disruptions in school operations.

School administrators will present proposed referendum language to the Board at its next meeting on Monday, August 8. Click here to view the wording of the 2010 referendum, which was defeated by a close vote of 5,961 to 5,364 at that time.