Waukesha School Board Approves $60 Million Referendum

WAUKESHA, WI — Voters in Waukesha will have something new to consider when they head to the ballot box on Tuesday, Nov. 6 for the fall general election.

That's because the Waukesha School Board recently approved sending a $60 million referendum to the ballot for district-wide improvements to facilities.

The District has been assessing its facilities since 2015. Earlier this year, the District invited the public to attend two community focus groups to learn about the District’s facility needs and long-term planning process, ask questions, and provide feedback on potential facility solutions and next steps.

In April and May, the District surveyed the community to gather further feedback on identified facility needs in the District’s schools. More than 6,500 responses were received, with residents voicing strong support for reinvesting in the District’s existing facilities. 58 percent of all resident respondents advised the District to pursue a referendum to update district schools.

The feedback received from the community survey, focus groups, and board workshops guided the Board of Education to move forward with a capital referendum, a request the District has not made in more than 15 years.

An informational flyer will be mailed to all district residents mid-September, outlining the proposed projects. In addition, a number of open houses will be held for interested parents and community members to learn more about the projects that will be completed should the referendum be supported by voters.

For more information on the District’s facility planning and the referendum question that will be placed on the November 6th ballot, please visit: sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/2018Referendum.

Patch File Photo