Addressing Needs in Onalaska Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the district's operational needs?
Why is an operational referendum necessary?
What will happen if the operational referendum is approved?
What will happen if the operational referendum is not approved?
What are the school district's facility needs?
What will happen if the facility needs are not addressed?
What projects will take place if the capital referendum is approved?
What was the role of the Facilities Task Force?
What were the recommendations of the Facilities Task Force?
How has the community been involved in the process?
How would these referendums affect property taxes?
How will the City of Onalaska's reassessment process affect property taxes in our community?
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:
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$1,250,000 for the 2023-24 school year *
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$4,800,000 for the 2024-25 school year
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$5,000,000 for the 2025-26 school year
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$5,200,000 for the 2026-27 school year
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$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:
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The upper mezzanine and weight room lack ADA access, while the flexibility of these areas is hindered due to limited space.
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The tech ed department requires a centralized 21st century classroom environment with up-to-date equipment and the ability for greater student collaboration.
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Layout of science classrooms, workspaces, and storage require upgrade and an additional classroom to meet current programming needs.
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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.
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Learning spaces and supporting spaces have poor sound control due to lack of insulation above.
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The music department requires properly sized classrooms and improvement of supporting spaces to meet current programming needs.
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The cafeteria needs to be enlarged to provide a more functional and flexible space for students.
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Seating and equipment in the gym require upgrades, while additional storage is needed.
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In the art department, separate space is needed for safety and proper use of equipment.
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Kitchen layout and the operation to the cafeteria/commons needs improvement. Spatial relationships need to be evaluated to create improved operations between spaces.
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Student services are separated from administration offices, with a lack of space for staff and storage.
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The dance studio lacks ADA access.
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The Performing Arts Center space requires updated finishes and equipment to meet the current needs of the school and effective operation of events.
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The building overall lacks flexible spaces for 21st century learning opportunities.
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Onalaska Middle School:
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Classrooms are insufficiently sized to accommodate large class sizes. A limited number of classrooms have windows.
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The building needs upgrades to windows, HVAC systems, insulation, lighting, and finishes.
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The fixed lab areas in the science department limit flexibility of teaching space. Science classrooms lack updated equipment.
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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.
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Daily traffic flow of buses, parents, and public traffic cause frequent congestion and back-ups.
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Administration, pupil services, nurses, counselors, and support staff lack connection and confidentiality/student privacy. Support staff areas require additional meeting and work spaces.
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The amount of flexible learning spaces and overall storage in the building is lacking.
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The music department requires properly sized classrooms and improvement of supporting spaces.
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Tech ed classrooms lack adequate equipment and sufficient working spaces. There is no direct access to the exterior of the building.
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The gymnasium is undersized and lacks storage and updated seating.
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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.
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The physical education department does not provide adequate office space for staff.
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Cafeteria needs to be expanded to provide a more functional and flexible space throughout the day. Circulation between students and staff is congested.
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The library is in an open space that lacks sound control and security.
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Locker rooms are aged and lack privacy, while ADA-compliant toilet and shower facilities are needed.
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The fitness room is aged, is not visible to students, and requires additional space.
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The building has a lack of available parking for staff and visitors.
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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:
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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.
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Irving Pertzch Elementary’s grade-level areas lack additional learning spaces.
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Northern Hills Elementary’s playground offers a sufficient amount of space, but lacks perimeter safety for everyday use.
Rider’s Club Road Site:
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The site lacks enclosed storage for school trailers, vehicles, and building and grounds equipment.
District Office Support Building:
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District vehicles and equipment lack enclosed space on site.
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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:
Maintenance of Infrastructure:
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New exterior
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Updated heating & cooling, electrical & plumbing systems
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Efficient lighting
Teaching & Learning Spaces:
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Expanded classrooms
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New science labs
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Enhanced technical education classrooms
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Larger music & art departments
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More room for physical education & fitness
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Updated equipment
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Flexible learning spaces & classroom furniture
Common Areas:
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Secure and controlled entrance
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Improved traffic flow and circulation inside and around the school
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Relocated student services area to provide confidential meeting spaces
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Increased storage
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Expanded gymnasium with improved seating
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More functional cafeteria that can also serve as a learning space
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Quiet & secure library
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ADA-compliant restrooms & locker rooms
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Additional parking
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Age-appropriate playground equipment
Projects at Onalaska High School would include the following:
ADA Compliance:
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2-story elevator, allowing access to the upper gym mezzanine and fitness room
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Locker rooms
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Restrooms
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Dance space
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Common Areas:
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Relocation of receiving
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Additional parking
Instructional Spaces:
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Technical Education
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Science
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Music
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Classroom sound control
What was the role of the Facilities Task Force?
The Board of Education charged the Facilities Task Force with considering the district’s facilities and working as a committee to develop a written report that details a solution, or a set of solutions, for the board to consider. The group was made up of community members from throughout the district’s attendance area.
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The task force engaged in fulfilling its charge through a series of meetings from February through April 2022. The group was able to reach a consensus and a final report was created and presented to the Board of Education in May 2022.
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The task force engaged in fulfilling its charge through a series of meetings from February through April 2022. The group was able to reach a consensus and a final report was created and presented to the Board of Education in May 2022.
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What were the recommendations of the Facilities Task Force?
The Facilities Task Force’s final report includes 10 recommendations to the Board of Education to prioritize and address the district’s facility needs:
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The School District of Onalaska has facility needs. The task force has validated the needs of the district as outlined in the master facility report.
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While the students and staff of the school district are not at risk, the needs of our facilities require the urgent attention of the Board of Education.
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The Board should pursue a referendum to address the most highly prioritized facility needs. The task force believes the board should pursue this work now.
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There are substantial infrastructure needs for both the middle and high schools that far surpass the district’s ability to address them through the normal budgeting process. At a minimum, these requirements must be addressed to simply maintain the facilities the district has.
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While we wish all requirements for the middle and high school could be addressed, we realize that the community’s willingness to support both may be limited. In this light, the task force believes the middle school, as a whole, should be addressed with a higher level of priority than the high school. After considering the needs of the middle school, there are high school priorities that rise to the top of the list.
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The inclusion of the Boys and Girls Club to the middle school would add great value to the school, local youth, and the community overall.
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The French Road site is of little value to support the goals of the school district.
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District office renovations/improvements are not recommended at this time due to far greater needs in the middle and high schools.
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Rider’s Club Road improvements are not recommended at this time due to far greater needs in the middle and high schools.
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Eagle Bluff, Irving Pertzsch, and Northern Hills school needs, while valid, are of a lower priority than the middle school and high school. These needs could be addressed as part of the district budgeting process.
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How has the community been involved in the process?
The board decided to move forward with these two referendum questions after engaging in a comprehensive process to evaluate our district’s facility and budget needs and develop potential solutions. This included the work of the Community Facilities Task Force, which reviewed the district’s facility needs and created a set of recommendations. The board also reviewed budget forecasts and anticipated challenges.
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Through this process, the task force determined that the district should place a higher level of priority on facility needs at the middle school compared to the high school. The board has decided to first address middle school needs before turning its attention to the high school. Needs at the high school will be addressed through a phased approach.
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Additionally, our community provided input and feedback through a recent survey, through which about 89% said they believe the district’s most urgent facility needs should be addressed now and 87% said our most urgent financial needs should be addressed now. This input was extremely important to the board as it discussed these needs.
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We look forward to continuing to engage our community around our district’s operational and facility needs in the weeks and months ahead.
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How would these referendums affect property taxes?
Based on current assumptions, an operational referendum can be passed without increasing the tax levy from the 2021-22 rate. The capital referendum would have an estimated tax impact of about $65 per year for every $100,000 of fair market value.
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How will the City of Onalaska's reassessment process affect property taxes in our community?
The City of Onalaska is currently engaged in a process to reassess property values in the community. This process will affect about 90% of the homeowners in the School District of Onalaska.
It’s important to note that if all assessments rise at a comparable rate, the reassessment process will not cause property taxes to increase.
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When is election day?
Residents will vote on the two referendum questions on the general election date of Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
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Where can I vote?
District residents can vote at their regular polling location on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. You can find voting and registration information at https://myvote.wi.gov.
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Can I vote early?
Registered voters in Wisconsin may vote early by mail by requesting an absentee ballot. You can make your request by visiting ??https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-By-Mail.
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Residents may also vote in-person before election day. For more information on this option, please visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-In-Person.
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