Oak Creek-Franklin Residents to Vote on Auditorium Referendum

On April 7, 2015, voters in the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District (OCFJSD) will have a chance to make a significant improvement to the district’s performing arts programs and the greater community. The school board is asking voters to approve a $7.3 million auditorium to be constructed in conjunction with the new 9th grade center to be built on land adjacent to Oak Creek High School.

The proposed 800-seat auditorium is being presented to voters again in response to the request of parents and community members who support the project. Additionally, the projected cost to taxpayers for the new schools approved by referendum in November has drastically been reduced. Voters agreed to a tax levy of $77 per $100,000 of property value and low interest rates have lowered that cost to $66 per $100,000. The tax levy for the auditorium will be approximately $7 per $100,000.

“Voting YES on the auditorium is like saying YES to a major gift,” said Amy Mlot, president of YES for Oak Creek Schools, a volunteer advocacy group in support of the referendum. “Constructing the auditorium on the same time table as the 9th grade center keeps costs low. Not acting at this point is like leaving money on the table, and the need for a large performing arts space will still exist.”

The district has very limited space designed strictly for performing arts. The Little Theater at OCHS seats 160, considerably less than schools of comparable size. The new auditorium would be used by all schools in the district and be available for rent by community group as well. Details about the plans can be found on the district’s website at www.ocfsd.org/referendum.

Voters have the opportunity to hear OCFJSD superintendent Dr. Sara Burmeister provide a detailed overview of the referendum and answers questions at public forums on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m., both at the Oak Creek Community Center.

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YES for Oak Creek Schools is an independent, volunteer group of citizens who advocate for the passage of the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District referendum in the April general election. To learn more, visit our website at www.YESforOCschools.org