FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Many of our residents and families are asking about the April 7 referendum. At the time of this writing, the WI Election Commission has not indicated intention to cancel or postpone the spring election. However, discussions are evolving on how to ensure safety and a fair process for all - voters and poll workers. We recognize the importance of voting and understand your desire to exercise your right to vote. As you do, please follow the CDC guidelines for your safety and those around you and consider the options available for early and absentee voting. Two important reminders:
1. Please visit www.myvote.wi.gov for the most current registration and voter information including how to cast an absentee ballot by mail or early, at the polls.
2. You may register and vote early, in-person Monday, March 23 – Friday, April 3. Before you go, please call to confirm municipal clerk hours of operation.
In closing, I want to thank the community and individuals that I have been privileged to meet with about the referendum and proposed new CTE Facility. Your engagement, thoughtful questions, and commitment to making an informed decision, matters. I encourage you to review the REFERENDUM 2020 FACTS inside this newsletter and to call the District Office at 715-884-6694 if you have questions.
Although we are living in extraordinary times, we remain focused and certain of the planning, purpose, and potential of CTE programming for our students and the Pittsville community!
Our best for their best.
The Pittsville Board of Education
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Q: Why not renovate existing space or build on the current site?
A: Evaluation of both options highlighted five key concerns:
- Cost/risk associated with existing land conditions and renovation of a 1968 structure
- Code compliance, regulations, and restrictions as a mandated component of the renovation
- Disruption to student learning during prep and construction
- Less effective outcomes for collaborative space and alignment to CTE program goals
- Additional construction required to house the maintenance shop
Cost estimates to renovate the existing facility or build within the strict limitations of the existing site were approximately 96% of constructing a new CTE facility, including the cost to purchase land. The analysis considered DNR regulated setbacks and restrictions; risks associated with potential “unknowns” of a 1968 structure, building systems, and required mitigation/abatement of building and ground materials; high cost of reconfiguring or relocating electrical and gas utilities; and mandated codes and regulations including ADA compliance. Additionally, the availability and logistics of relocating students to an off-site facility during a yearlong construction process presented safety, transportation, learning disruption, and cost benefit concerns. Generally, these options met fewer overall program goals for upgrades to the classroom/lab space, accommodations for modern equipment and technologies, needs for storage and safety features; and practical design for classroom/lab space to support Technical, Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science, and Business Education teaching and learning.
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Q: What will be done with the current Tech Ed facility?
A: Originally built in 1968 as an out-building, this space will be re-purposed to house the District's maintenance equipment, supplies, and shop. This will support improved organization and consolidation of maintenance functions district-wide, creates efficiency for custodial staff, and eliminates the need to build additional maintenance structures to accommodate current needs for equipment, material storage, and practical workspace.
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Q: When will a detailed design for the new CTE Facility be available?
A: Originally built in 1968 as an outbuilding, this space will be repurposed to house the District’s maintenance equipment, supplies, and shop. This will support improved organization and consolidation of maintenance functions district wide, creates efficiency for custodial staff, and eliminates the need to build additional maintenance structures to accommodate current needs for equipment, material storage, and practical work space.
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Q: Will the tax impact associated with the referendum go up each year?
A: No. The maximum annual tax increase is calculated over the current 2020 tax level and is estimated at $20 per $100,000 of equalized property value in 2021. The average annual tax increase in 2022 – 2035 is also calculated over the current 2020 tax level and will decline to an estimated $13 per $100,000 of equalized property value.
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Q: Why not ask two separate questions?
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| A: The primary reason for a referendum was to upgrade our CTE teaching and learning spaces. Getting to where we are now evolved over two and half years of listening sessions with students, parents, staff, community members, and business owners. A survey was created and completed early this last fall and 67% of respondents recommended going to referendum with 62% recommending a new CTE facility at or under the $21 per $100,000 of equalized property value. |
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Q: Has our student enrollment been decreasing, increasing, or staying the same?
A: This year, we have 10 more students attending the district than the previous year as reported to the DPI for the September third Friday count. Our enrollment has stabilized and “open enrollment in” has increased 20% while “open enrollment out” has decreased 10% compared to last year. Over the last 5 years “open enrollment in” has increased 168%. The district has had a housing shortage for several years, more people would like to live in the district than available housing. The City of Pittsville has been very aggressive in attracting home owners and contract builders by offering incentives to build and buy homes. They are also offering incentives focused home buyers to teardown dilapidated properties and build new.
Q: Is the District buying all five homes across from the high school?
A: No. At this time we are purchasing the north most two properties. The District may be interested in the other properties in the future if they become available.
Q: Will the district need to come back to voters to pay for additional staff to take care of the new space?
A: No. Maintenance needs for a new space have been accounted for in our current maintenance planning. We currently maintain the learning spaces now and will maintain the new spaces without having students in the old spaces. In addition, the new spaces will be designed to minimize everyday maintenance. Our custodial team has done an amazing job of maintaining all of our District facilities regardless of age. This is a source of pride for our custodial team.
Q: Will the district need to add money for equipment and technology in this space?
A: No. We have $100,000 built into the estimate for equipment and intend to use the existing modern equipment we currently have in service. We have been planning the technology needs for this space and will use grant funding and budgeting to meet our needs. We have also been told about possible area businesses which are interested in helping set up a few of our labs to industry standards. The CTE team is writing for available grants related to new and upgraded programing.
Q: Will there an opportunity for adult classes or maker space in the new facility?
A: Yes. We will have the opportunity to offer adult classes and satellite Technical College classes on the site. If there are community groups interested in a Maker Space or other social instructional activity this area, including the meeting room would accommodate those needs.
Q: What is the difference between the 2008 Operating Referendum and the proposed 2020 Facilities Referendum?
A: The community-approved, 2008 Operating Referendum allowed PSD to levy additional funds over the state mandated revenue cap. These funds support the cost of current educational programs, staffing, contract services, utilities, and general operations including maintenance of facilities. Due to increases in our fixed costs, capped revenue limits do not keep pace with inflation. These needs are ongoing (recurring). The Board elected a “recurring” referenda to prevent the need to go back to the community every 3-5 years, or to make short-term and highly disruptive program and staffing decisions every 3-5 years. The 2008 operating referendum was gradually implemented over a three-year period to the sustaining amount of $525,000 in 2011. This is now part of our current school tax levy base - it is not a new levy and it does not increase.
The proposed 2020 Facilities Referendum is for Capital Improvements, not for operational purposes. This is primarily for a new CTE Facility and two key capital improvement projects – the roof replacement for the Elementary School Primary Wing and a new boiler for the High School. The new CTE Facility is proposed because of growing demand for CTE programming. This will not require additional staff, only relevant and safe space for teaching, learning and robust programming that our community, state, and nation count on today and into the future.
Pittsville School District is proud to be a community school and is committed to providing the best education with the resources available for our children, parents, and communities.
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