Design concept unveiled for referendum plans

By Ginna Young

In preparing for a $25.4 million referendum for voters to decide on at the spring election, the Cadott School District needed to have a design to show the public. Now that is complete, plans can go ahead to get information out to the community, about what they’re voting on and why, as discussed Feb. 12. “I think we got a really good design,” said district administrator Josh Spaeth.

Last spring, voters approved a $9.9 million referendum for updates to the high school, but the scope of that project wasn’t what the board of education felt was best for the district. Because Cadott lacks walking and biking trails, group meeting spaces and adequate childcare, it was important to the board members to fulfill those needs.

In addition, the district loses $1.7 million in revenue, annually, to home schooling, private voucher schools and students open enrolling to other districts that have, or are near, amenities that are attractive to families.

By passing the new $25.4 million referendum, Cadott can expand the tech ed center, construct a secure entrance, update the elementary school playground, create a 6,000 square foot early learning center and a build a community center.

Where the existing commons is, a new secure entrance will be located, which also acts as a community entrance for the fitness center and walking track yoga/multi-purpose room. Members of the public will walk through first set of doors into a vestibule, where a fob will give access to either stairs or an elevator to those community areas.

“Once you’re up there, that’s all the access you have,” said Bailey Merrill architect with Wendel. “You can’t get to anywhere else in the school. It’s a very safe, secure way to allow the community to use the school.”

The district office would also be located off of the vestibule, as well as a community/board room, which also has a secure entrance. An expansion of the commons would also take place, along with a new softball field (which would need to be relocated because of the expansions) across from the elementary school, to the south of the gravel parking space.

The estimated tax impact of a $25.4 million referendum, is $165/year, per $1,000 of equalized property value. If the referendum doesn’t pass, the district will use the $9.9 million from the previously approved referendum, but would not be able to construct a secure entrance or address key needs.

To answer questions the public may have, information sessions will take place Monday, March 4, and Monday, March 18, from 6-8 p.m., in the auditorium, or they can visit cadott.k12.wi.us.

Cory LaNou, school board president, says it’s been a long process, but that the district is happy with how the concept turned out.

“Well done,” agreed board member Rod Tegels.