OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – A nearly $200 million referendum question will appear on ballots in the Oshkosh area this spring.
It’s part of the second phase of the Oshkosh Area School District’s four-phase facilities plan for its district. The proposed referendum totals $197.8 million and would help the district do the following:
- Build a new middle school at the existing Jacob Shapiro Elementary School site and remove the current building.
- Additions and renovations at Carl Traeger, Franklin, and Oakwood Elementary schools.
- Renovations at the Perry Tipler Middle School building to convert it into a pre-kindergarten center and recreation department offices
- Renovations to the Oshkosh North High School auditorium.
- New air condition systems at Read, Emmeline Cook, and Lakeside Elementary Schools.
On Tuesday night, district officials held a meeting with the public to share information about the referendum. There were about 20 people at this meeting.
“It starts with our students and student safety and student needs and services that we can provide for our students,” said Superintendent Bryan Davis when asked why this referendum is important for the district.
District officials said that this referendum wouldn’t increase taxes that go towards the district’s debt levy because they are ahead on paying for past debt.
“The debt levy portion of what our taxpayers would spend wouldn’t increase in this portion,” said Superintendent Davis. “That’s the amount of money that we would use for these projects and that’s specific to the debt levy.”
The district will hold several more information meetings in the coming weeks to make sure that voters have the facts about the referendum.
- South Park Middle School, Feb. 21, 8:30 a.m.
- Oakwood Elementary School, March 3, 6:30 p.m.
- South Park Middle School, March 13, 6:30 p.m.
- Franklin Elementary School, March 18, 6:30 p.m.
- Oshkosh Public Library, March 26, 10:30 a.m.
- Caramel Crisp, Feb. 17, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Senior Center (200 N. Campbell Road), Feb. 28., 10-11 a.m.
- Elsewhere Market, March 12, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
- Delta Family Restaurant, March 24, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
“Our goal is to make sure that they have the information they need to have an informed vote on April 1,” said Superintendent Davis.
Teachers in the music and theater program also spoke during the informational session on Tuesday night. They spoke about the impact a new auditorium would have for their students, saying the current facility they use is small, the acoustics aren’t good, and they have to go elsewhere for performances which limits their opportunities.
The new Appleton Public Library is almost ready to welcome back book lovers
The referendum question will appear on the ballot for the April 1 election.
If the referendum fails, district officials said that students would have to stay at South Park which is a 120-year-old building. Shapiro students will still need to be consolidated into the remaining West Side elementary schools. The district will also miss out on annual operational savings that could have been achieved through consolidation.
