What are the district's operational needs?

The School District of Onalaska faces financial challenges that are largely out of our control and result from the state's school funding system. In fact, we are known for being a fiscally responsible, low-spending school district.

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Wisconsin schools operate under a state-imposed revenue limit that restricts the amount of money they can receive. The result is that our district does not receive enough revenue to adequately fund programs and services. 

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Additionally, the needs of our students have increased significantly—especially in the areas of special education and mental health. Costs for things like running our buses and heating our schools continue to increase, as do other expenses that are out of the district’s control. 

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These financial challenges, if left unaddressed, will negatively impact our ability to offer high-quality programs and services to our students. They can also prevent us from attracting, hiring, and retaining first-class teachers and staff to serve our learners.

Recognizing these challenges, our community approved a non-recurring operational referendum in 2018. The funds made available through this referendum have been critical to maintaining high-quality programs and services for our students.

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The 2018 operational referendum is set to expire soon unless voters renew it. The first question on the ballot November 8 asks community members to renew the referendum for the next five years.

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Why is an operational referendum necessary?

Wisconsin schools operate under a state-imposed revenue limit that restricts the amount of money they can receive each year. The outdated formula the state uses means the School District of Onalaska does not receive enough revenue to properly fund programs and services for students.

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An operational referendum is necessary to address rising expenses related to inflation and uncertain funding support from the state over the past decade. In fact, Onalaska joins many Wisconsin school districts that are presenting operational questions to their communities this year.

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The Onalaska community last approved an operational referendum for the district in 2018. That referendum was non-recurring and is set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The Board of Education is asking voters to approve another five-year, non-recurring operational referendum on November 8, 2022.

 

What will happen if the operational referendum is approved?

On Tuesday, November 8, voters will be asked to allow the district to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit over the next five years, in the following amounts:

• $1,250,000 for the 2023-24 school year *

• $4,800,000 for the 2024-25 school year

• $5,000,000 for the 2025-26 school year

• $5,200,000 for the 2026-27 school year

• $5,400,000 for the 2027-28 school year

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*This amount is in addition to the previously approved $3.35 million 2018 referendum set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

 

This operational referendum is necessary to address rising expenses related to inflation and uncertain funding support from the state over the past decade. In fact, Onalaska joins many Wisconsin school districts that are presenting operational questions to their communities this year. 

 

What will happen if the operational referendum is not approved?

If the operational referendum is not approved, the School District of Onalaska would lose critical funds, starting in the 2023-24 school year. As a result, the district would likely need to make reductions to programs, services, and staffing. This would affect the quality of the educational experience provided to our students. 

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What are the school district's facility needs?

While Onalaska schools provide exceptional educational opportunities to our students, our buildings have a number of urgent needs that must be addressed now. These needs are summarized below.

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Onalaska High School:

• The upper mezzanine and weight room lack ADA access, while the flexibility of these areas is hindered due to limited space.

• The tech ed department requires a centralized 21st century classroom environment with up-to-date equipment and the ability for greater student collaboration.

• Layout of science classrooms, workspaces, and storage require upgrade and an additional classroom to meet current programming needs.

• General locker rooms require updated finishes and toilet facilities. Athletic locker rooms and the training room location do not provide a direct connection to the gym.

• Learning spaces and supporting spaces have poor sound control due to lack of insulation above.

• The music department requires properly sized classrooms and improvement of supporting spaces to meet current programming needs.

• The cafeteria needs to be enlarged to provide a more functional and flexible space for students.

• Seating and equipment in the gym require upgrades, while additional storage is needed.

• In the art department, separate space is needed for safety and proper use of equipment.

• Kitchen layout and the operation to the cafeteria/commons needs improvement. Spatial relationships need to be evaluated to create improved operations between spaces.

• Student services are separated from administration offices, with a lack of space for staff and storage.

• The dance studio lacks ADA access.

• The Performing Arts Center space requires updated finishes and equipment to meet the current needs of the school and effective operation of events.

• The building overall lacks flexible spaces for 21st century learning opportunities. 

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Onalaska Middle School:

• Classrooms are insufficiently sized to accommodate large class sizes. A limited number of classrooms have windows.

• The building needs upgrades to windows, HVAC systems, insulation, lighting, and finishes.

• The fixed lab areas in the science department limit flexibility of teaching space. Science classrooms lack updated equipment.

• The building lacks a secure and controlled entrance, with administration currently located in the center of the school. Administration should be located adjacent to the front entry.

• Daily traffic flow of buses, parents, and public traffic cause frequent congestion and back-ups.

• Administration, pupil services, nurses, counselors, and support staff lack connection and confidentiality/student privacy. Support staff areas require additional meeting and work spaces.

• The amount of flexible learning spaces and overall storage in the building is lacking.

• The music department requires properly sized classrooms and improvement of supporting spaces.

• Tech ed classrooms lack adequate equipment and sufficient working spaces. There is no direct access to the exterior of the building.

• The gymnasium is undersized and lacks storage and updated seating.

• The art room does not provide separate rooms for the kiln and spray booth. The art classroom lacks flexibility to provide multiple learning spaces and requires additional storage.

• The physical education department does not provide adequate office space for staff.

• Cafeteria needs to be expanded to provide a more functional and flexible space throughout the day. Circulation between students and staff is congested.

• The library is in an open space that lacks sound control and security.

• Locker rooms are aged and lack privacy, while ADA-compliant toilet and shower facilities are needed.

• The fitness room is aged, is not visible to students, and requires additional space.

• The building has a lack of available parking for staff and visitors.

• The site provides a sufficient amount of playground space, but lacks age-appropriate playground equipment for middle school students.

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Elementary Schools:

• Eagle Bluff Elementary lacks sufficient parking for events, needs additional security at the main entry, needs proper cooler/freezer space in the kitchen, and has exterior brick showing excessive damage. 

• Irving Pertzch Elementary’s grade-level areas lack additional learning spaces.

• Northern Hills Elementary’s playground offers a sufficient amount of space, but lacks perimeter safety for everyday use.

 

Rider’s Club Road Site:

• The site lacks enclosed storage for school trailers, vehicles, and building and grounds equipment.

 

District Office Support Building:

• District vehicles and equipment lack enclosed space on site.

• The building does not provide adequate office space for all district staff.

 

What will happen if the facility needs are not addressed?

If left unaddressed, the space and facilities challenges the School District of Onalaska is facing could threaten the outstanding schools our community members have come to expect. These needs will only get worse if we wait to address them.

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The board feels strongly that, as elected officials, they are charged by the community to protect the assets of the school district—including its buildings. We believe the time has come to address these needs to ensure our students continue to have access to a high-quality educational experience.

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What is the length (or term) of borrowing related to the capital referendum?

20 years.

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What projects will take place if the capital referendum is approved?

If the capital referendum is approved, the School District of Onalaska would move forward with several key facility projects at our middle and high schools. 

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Projects at Onalaska Middle School would include the following: