Why is the De Pere School Board considering another referendum? Here's what to know

After the approval of a $23.75 million operational referendum in April, the De Pere School District is moving to put another referendum on the November ballot.

This time, the $22 million capital referendum will go toward "critical maintenance" of school facilities. On Monday, the School Board voted 5-2 to direct district administration to begin crafting the referendum resolution language with the district's bond attorney.

Board members Melissa Niffenegger and Brittony Cartwright voted against the measure, but declined to discuss their reasoning on the record.

The board plans to vote at an Aug. 5 special meeting to approve that referendum resolution.

Assuming the referendum goes forward, voters will decide Nov. 5 whether to approve the second referendum for the De Pere School District this year.

Here's a breakdown of the referendum, what it would fund and what voters need to know ahead of the November election.

How is this referendum different from the operational referendum last April?

In Wisconsin, there are two types of referendums for school district funding: capital and operational. In April, voters approved a $23.75 million operational referendum to maintain the district's current operations.

More: If it seems Wisconsin school districts are asking voters for money more often, it's because they are

Now, the board is proposing a capital referendum, also known as a building referendum. Capital referendums are used by school districts to complete projects that are too costly to do under annual budget limitations.

April's referendum largely covered employee salaries and benefits and student technology, as well as other operational costs. In contrast, this referendum will be used to update and repair building infrastructure at all six district school buildings.

What would the De Pere referendum money go toward?

If voters approve the referendum, the $22 million would be designated for three categories: safety and security, site repair and building infrastructure, according to a presentation from Monday's meeting .

Safety and security make up the smallest portion of the budget. The allotted $3.87 million would establish intra-district communication for emergencies at all district sites; upgrade the secure entrance at Dickinson Elementary School; add generators at Heritage Elementary School and De Pere Middle School; and replace the fire alarms at Dickinson Elementary School, Foxview Intermediate School and De Pere Middle School.

These renovations would also improve building access for ADA requirements at Altmayer Elementary School, Foxview Intermediate School, De Pere Middle School and De Pere High School.

In terms of site repair, all six schools in the district would replace asphalt in some parking lots and drives. The playground asphalt would also be replaced at Altmayer and Dickinson elementary schools, as well as the surface of De Pere High School's track. Approximately $7.9 million is budgeted for site repair.

The largest portion of the capital referendum will cover building infrastructure improvements. These upgrades would include:

• Dickinson Elementary would get a replaced bell and clock system, new boilers, replaced rooftop mechanical units, energy-efficient LED lighting and eventually new roofing and insulation.
• Heritage Elementary would get a replaced bell and clock system, new wash basins in the main restrooms, energy-efficient LED lighting and new flooring in the health room.
• Altmayer Elementary would get new boilers and energy-efficient LED lighting.
• Foxview Intermediate would get a replaced bell and clock system, new boilers, new chillers and pumps, energy-efficient LED lighting, new flooring in the commons, replacements for deteriorating exterior windows and eventually new roofing and insulation.
• De Pere Middle School would get a replaced bell and clock system, new boilers and energy-efficient LED lighting.
• De Pere High School would get new boilers.

About $10.24 million of the referendum would address these infrastructure upgrades.

Why does the De Pere School District need this money?

Superintendent Christopher Thompson said the referendum is the product of a facilities assessment conducted between December 2022 and early 2023.

That assessment identified deficiencies in facilities that should be addressed in the next three to five years. The cost to update those facilities amounted to $22 million.

"We have to cover those before we do any future work within the district to address the enrollment growth," Thompson said.

Because the referendum would only address "critical maintenance," he said, most of the projects would be launched in the next few years.

Many of the buildings in the district are aging and require this kind of maintenance, he added. Foxview Intermediate School has portions that are nearly 100 years old. The newest building in the district — Altmayer Elementary School — is 17 years old, according to a presentation prepared by the district.

What's the estimated tax impact?

After the April referendum, the district's estimated tax rate increased to $7.01 per $1,000 of property value. A resident with a $250,000 home would pay about $1,752.50 in property taxes.

If the new referendum passes, it would add 40 cents per $1,000 to the tax rate. The new rate would be $7.41 per $1,000 of property value, meaning on that same $250,000 house, a resident would pay about $1,852.50 in property taxes.

What will happen if the De Pere referendum doesn't pass?

If the referendum fails, Thompson said, the district will reassess the next time it could bring this measure to a ballot. Because the district is allowed to bring only two questions to the ballot in any given calendar year, that will likely happen next April or the following November, he added.

If the referendum passes, the district will look to additional referendum measures to address capacity for enrollment growth at the district. However, Thompson said, that question is at least 1½ years down the line.

"People know this is coming. This is Part 2. You remember Part 1, and now later, there will be a conversation another time about Part 3. But we're not there yet," he said. "You will have many opportunities to continue providing us with your feedback because the district must be a reflection of the community's commitment and values."

Contact Kathryn Muchnick at KMuchnick@gannett.com or 812-568-4468.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why is the De Pere School Board considering another referendum? Here's what to know