OASD School Board Approves Resolution for $54.9 M Referendum
OCONOMOWOC, Wisconsin – August 16, 2016. At tonight’s regular meeting, the Oconomowoc Area School District board unanimously approved a referendum ballot resolution to be presented to the community for vote on November 8, 2016. The amount is a not-to-exceed total project cost of $54.9 million. The comprehensive facilities plan will address capacity and infrastructure needs at Meadow View Elementary, Ixonia Elementary, Greenland Elementary, Park Lawn Elementary, Oconomowoc High School Main Campus and the Oconomowoc High School East Campus/former Wilkinson Clinic.
“I feel good about where we ended up,” said Roger Rindo, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools. “This referendum plan solves virtually all of the instructional space needs identified during our work, as well as the high-priority capital improvement needs, and the projects will impact five of our eight schools across the district.”
Since January 2015, the citizen-based Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) and the school board have closely evaluated a series of options to address significant capacity, maintenance and infrastructure needs district-wide.
Preliminary solutions of approximately $95 million were shared in a community-wide survey this spring, but the total cost was not supported by the majority of school district residents. As a result, the school board carefully prioritized and made significant reductions, reducing the total project scope and cost by $40 million to a cost of not to exceed $54.9 million. If approved by the majority of district voters, the successful completion of the projects will address the most critical capacity and aging facility needs that directly affect students in our district every day.
“The plan we are taking to the community reflects about a 40% reduction in the initial project scope of $95 million that was tested in the community survey. The tax increase of $40 dollars per $100,000 of home value reflects that 40% reduction as well,” said School Board President Donald J. Wiemer.
The $54.9M referendum will increase the current debt service portion of the total mill rate by an estimated $0.40 per $1,000 of equalized property value for approximately 20 years, or $40 for every $100,000 of property value.
Tax Impact: Borrowing Amount: $54.9 million*
|
Maximum Mill Rate Increase: $0.40 |
ANNUAL |
MONTHLY |
|
$100,000 home |
$40.00 |
$3.33 |
|
$250,000 home |
$100.00 |
$8.33 |
|
$300,000 home |
$140.00 |
$11.67 |
|
$500,000 home |
$200.00 |
$16.67 |
*Borrowing Estimate Assumptions:
- Conservative interest rates ranging from 3.25% to 3.75%.
- Phased borrowing approach over a 3 year period (2017-2019) with each borrowing paid back over a 20-year period. Source: PMA Securities, Inc.
At tonight’s meeting, the school board also reviewed a comprehensive public information plan which will begin in earnest when school starts September 1. The school board and district administration are committed to implementing an extensive public information and outreach effort to ensure all district residents can make an informed decision at the polls on November 8, 2016.
Referendum Project Descriptions:
- Construction of new Meadow View Elementary
- Renovation and Addition at Ixonia Elementary
- Capital Maintenance at Greenland Elementary
- Capital Maintenance at Park Lawn Elementary
- Oconomowoc High School:
- Main Campus: Security Upgrades and Renovation of Construction Trades, Manufacturing, and Automotive Classrooms at Oconomowoc High School
- East Campus (Renovation of Former Wilkinson Building): Renovation for OHS Instructional Spaces and District Offices
For more information about the November 8 referendum:
VISIT the district website: www.oasd.org
EMAIL: feedback@oasd.org
CALL: Superintendent Roger J. Rindo, Ed.D., 262-560-2111
ATTEND: An open house or take a school tour (dates will be announced soon)
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