Vicki Markussen, a former mayoral candidate and spokesperson for the North La Crosse Business Association, speaks out against the school district's plan to consolidate high schools. Although state law dictates a maximum 20-year borrowing limit for school districts, with incremental borrowing, the 20 years will be extended to 23 years. If you have any questions or concerns not addressed on our web page, please feel free to contact us using this form. In the end, I think we have been able to educate the community for them to understand that the status quo is something we can no longer maintain moving forward. LA CROSSE (WKBT)-- The La Crosse School District's $60 million referendum will be on the ballot in April. Kiya VanBlaricome hugs her grandmother Anna Crapps. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Our students today are the builders, entrepreneurs, and leaders of tomorrow. WATCH NOW: Voters give La Crosse schools' leaders 'a direction' after referendum loss. Editors note: This article was updated April 5 to include comments from Superintendent Aaron Engel. We will be able to invest in deferred maintenance district-wide to address our most crucial accessibility and instructional needswhile providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. Referendum Information - School District of La Crosse You have permission to edit this article. LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) - The La Crosse School District is catching some heated opposition to its proposed referendum of nearly $200 million by representatives of the city's north side. We know that our community members value public education, and they want the best possible education for their students, he said. The district wants to provide more secure entrances at its elementary, middle, and high school buildings. This configuration does improve middle school facility quality but because the high schools do not combine, this option does not provide the savings necessary to balance our budget. Tony Evers on why UW-L's Cowley Hall needs replacing, Evers on why visiting schools is important to budget process, Archaeologists Discover Shipwreck From 580 BC In Mediterranean Sea, Why the Sun and Moon Looking Different This Summer, Spate of deaths in India amid extreme heatwave, Have a fever? Board closes Lincoln and authorizes spring referendum - School District A 2020 University of Wisconsin Applied Population Lab study showed a decline in student enrollment in all five of their modeling scenarios over the next ten years. Family & Home. 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Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. The additional cost savings from building consolidations will keep class sizes small, offer the electives students need, and provide the engaging labs and classrooms that todays instruction requires. We look forward to continuing to work together with the community to ensure our students receive the best possible education and are prepared for success in all their future endeavors, Engel said. With all of the citys 34 precincts reporting, the vote was 8,433 for and 18,875, or 69%, against. "It will allow us to move our middle schools into the existing. In the Bangor School District, its referendum for remodeling and building additions at a cost of up to $24 million also passed with voters. Declining student enrollment, budget challenges, the lack of state funding and aging facilities were some of the driving forces behind the referendum according to the district. COPYRIGHT 2023 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. They chose to spend new education dollars on pushing down mill rates, he said. In general, the spaces at the high school will be immediate upgrades over the current middle schools. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The School District of La Crosse mill rate has decreased 33% over the last 5 years. This project was scheduled to take place this summer and is now occurring. The big topics with Sprague were transparency from the district, the operating budget referendum and the tough decisions the board will have to make in the future. Published: Feb. 20, 2023 at 7:55 AM PST. Here are views and idea We want folks to show up to the polls well informed, we want them to have their questions answered, Superintendent Aaron Engel said following a Thursday session at Longfellow Middle School. LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) - Wednesday night is the final opportunity for voters to hear from La Crosse School District officials and members of the school board about the upcoming November 8 . The capacity at Logan High School is currently 1070 students. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The formula assumes, in effect, that districts with declining enrollments dont need as much revenue to operate their schools. As La Crosse residents voted in the midterm election, they voted on whether to pass the $194.7 million referendum. A great education prepares our kids for a successful future. See all the results from Tuesday's election here. You still need $81 million, according to the school district, of improvements, and maintenance, and infrastructure for the other schools, so how long is it before we get another referendum posed to us, Doolittle said. Transitioning our middle school students to the high school buildings is an immediate improvement to their educational experience with access to additional space and programs. No, it is not. There are also concerns over the location of the new school, which would make students living on La Crosses northside have to travel across town to Pammel Creek Road. Required fields are marked *. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. He said it was worth risking the funds for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a new high school on a 40-acre property within the city limits. La Crosse Schools' referendum letter receives backlash Some northside residents have begun displaying their objection to the referendum, with signs saying Save Logan, Vote No appearing in the community over the last week. LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - As the School District of La Crosse continues to meet with the community about its upcoming referendum, some voters remain opposed to the $194.7 million proposal. With this investment, the estimated tax mill rate would be $7.98. The money from the referendum would go towards the construction of a new high school at the Trane Technologies site on Pammel Creek Road, merging Central and Logan high schools together under one roof. If taxes rise in these municipalities, a property tax bill may increase as well. Final La Crosse School District referendum information meeting - WXOW The district has experienced a 9% enrollment drop since 2011-12, and most of the decline has come at the 9-12 level. The 30-acre site at Logan High School is too small for the additions necessary to create a high school that would need to accommodate 1,700-1,800 students. Engel said the district will minimize the tax increase by retiring existing debt during the first three years of the new bond issue. Inside Lacrosse is the most trusted and largest source of lacrosse coverage, score and stats data, recruiting data and participation events in the sport. Tell us where we should look inside here. LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The La Crosse School District is hosting its third referendum information session March 9. Investing in a new high school and upgrading middle school facilities by moving into our current high schools will improve the learning environment for half of our 6,000-plus students. We explored this idea early in the process of screening options. A three-year rolling average of a school districts pupil enrollment is used to calculate the districts revenue limit. School District of La Crosse. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. The work includes expanding classrooms, bringing the buildings up to ADA compliance, and improving security for both facilities. A new high school will allow us to ensure all students have equal access to modern labs that prepare students for the jobs of the future. $60 million La Crosse school district referendum goes on April 4 ballot Join us at a community information session to learn more about the November 8 referendum. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. All rights reserved. The School District of La Crosse recently sent a referendum informational mailer to all box holders in the city of La Crosse. A detailed look at the School District of La Crosse's proposal to consolidate its two high schools and reduce the number of middle schools in the district from five to three. The core structure of the former Trane headquarters building is in good condition and capable of adding a third floor on the south end. The reuse of the existing building lowers costs and is more environmentally friendly than building entirely new. Revenue Limit State General Aid = Local property tax. Copyright 2022 WEAU. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. Lows overnight in the mid 60s. Six of our buildings are over 80 years old, getting more expensive to maintain, and do not meet todays needs. The question on the April 4 ballot will ask voters to increase and extend the 2018 operating referendum by $6.25 million in the 2023-24 school year to $10.75 million for the next five years. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Based on the information we have at this point, we do not believe that this will affect the planned development of the site. $60M La Crosse school referendum passes handily with 65% in favor. This allowed the school district to maintain small class sizes, maintain the array of unique course offerings at the middle and high schools, update technology and technology infrastructure in all of our schools, increase internet bandwidth, install security cameras in all of our schools, upgrade fire alarm and intrusion alarm systems, replace and expand emergency lighting, and replace door locksets and hardware throughout. Not at this time. The proposed operational referendum will provide the funds needed to bridge the gap in state funding to ensure we meet students basic needs and continue delivering high-quality education. In the upcoming school year, the school district is closing a middle school to address declining enrollment, limit maintenance expenses, and save $1.5M through further staffing efficiencies. WATCH NOW: La Crosse school voters' choice: Small tax increase or large decrease, ELECTION 2022 | La Crosse schools referendum. La Crosse voters handily reject school district referendum Elsewhere, voters in the Holmen School District approved their referendum questions on Tuesday. LA CROSSE (WKBT)-- The La Crosse School District's $60million referendum will be on the ballot in April. The other reason is the states funding formula for local schools. The La Crosse School District is asking voters Tuesday to extend an expiring $4.175 million levy override another five years, which officials say would allow them to maintain current funding levels. All three middle school buildings are at least 80 years old and will require significant renovations just to keep them functional. While the renovation will be comprehensive to include electrical, HVAC, roofing, windows, etc., the reuse of the existing building lowers the total cost of the project by an estimated $30 million. Logan High School will still be there, it will be a middle school, the building will be there, weve invested in the northside at Northside Elementary, and well continue to do so at Swanson Field, Engel detailed. While additional bus routes will be needed to transport north side students to the new school, he said there will be savings with a net reduction of two school buildings. The School District of La Crosse tax levy rate has been decreasing, but property taxes have been rising for some properties which may cause an increase in property taxes. 0. The district has identified $81 million in infrastructure and maintenance needs at it buildings, including $18 million at the three middle schools. The renovation of the Central High School office will result in open space at the former high school office site for the Hogan Administrative Center to move into Central if the referendum passes. LA CROSSE, Wis., (July 18, 2022) The Board of Education for the School District of La Crosse has voted to place a single capital referendum question on the November 8, 2022 ballot. Some residents and local educators spoke in favor of the consolidation, preferring to combine students into one updated building due to the possibility that Logan, according to the district, would likely close at some point regardless, with all high school students to be housed at Central. March 30, 2023 By Rick Solem La Crosse School Board candidate Trevor Sprague joined La Crosse Talk PM on Thursday. Passing clouds and seasonable with isolated showers possible south.. Low 66F. La Crosse School Board votes to go to $60 million referendum, close There will be three more referendum information sessions. Demographics is the major cause for decreased enrollment families having fewer children, current housing/neighborhoods are not attracting families with children, and housing stock not turning over. While voters can, in effect, vote themselves a tax cut Nov. 8, Engel is optimistic they'll see the benefits of consolidated and upgraded facilities. If the school district does not renew the operational referendum the school district will need to reduce instructional programs and course offerings, increase class size, delay the replacement of outdated technology, and reduce staff positions across the school district. This levels out the impact of new debt. Over the last three years, 34 positions have been eliminated to address lost revenue due to declining enrollment. LA CROSSE, Wis., (September 19, 2022) A great education prepares our kids for a successful future. La Crosse School District $194.7 million referendum voted down (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Secure transaction. Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the mid 60s. State education funding did not increase for the last two years and has not kept up with inflation over the previous 15 years. The Wauzeka-Steuben School District got the go-ahead on Tuesday to exceed revenue limits by $3.3 million through the 2025-26 school year. Onalaska voters also agreed to let its school district spend up to $75 million for additions, improvements, and renovations at both the middle and high schools. Alternate ideas from the community included moving sixth graders into the elementary schools and seventh and eighth graders in the high school buildings. Revenue limits are state-imposed controls on the amount of revenue for operating purposes a Wisconsin school district can receive in state aid and property taxes. Board of Education president Juan Jimenez said Wednesday morning that he was disappointed the referendum didnt pass and that the board will soon examine alternatives. Full details here, Funds sought to dredge channel of Lake Onalaska, 100,000 country music lovers brave lightning, rain at Country Fest in Cadott, WATCH NOW: Onalaska asks voters to approve $75 million school referendum, WATCH NOW: Holmen $74.7 school referendum focuses on basics, Bangor gets good fiscal news in advance of school referendum, Campus Connection: Viterbo University adds Thailand to global programs, Archaeologists Discover Shipwreck From 580 BC In Mediterranean Sea, Why the Sun and Moon Looking Different This Summer, Spate of deaths in India amid extreme heatwave, Have a fever? The graduates wait for the ceremony to start. This agreement is contingent on passing a future referendum no purchase will occur without a successful referendum. . Referendum funds are planned to be used for student programming, teacher salaries and building maintenance, according to the school district. "If you would tell me that a percentage of this would just go to teacher increase pay I would be completely on board. He also said the site is close to the geographical center of the district, which extends south into Vernon County. Honor speaker Tatyana Roberts delivers her speech. Dont miss this opportunity to have your questions answered about the districts upcoming referendum. The previous five-year operating referendum supported educational programs, building safety and maintenance, and technology. Hogan Administration Building807 East Avenue SouthLa Crosse, WI 54601608-789-7600. If we dont go through with the referendum, we will be consolidating in other areas.. Cancel anytime. Thomas Greany celebrates as he receives his dipoma. The closure of Lincoln Middle School is part of all of the options that we explored. The election has given us new information to work with.. CDC Warns US Doctors to Check for Malaria. Voters approved the $60 million budget referendum proposed by the La Crosse School District in Tuesday's spring election. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Yes, the district will work with our school bus partners and public transportation to determine necessary routes and shuttle services to serve high-need areas within the community and students located outside a determined radius of their school. For that and more information on the referendum, click here. While the proposal has its supporters, it has also drawn criticism from people like La Crosse resident Karla Doolittle, who has concerns about the referendums price tag. Opposition from north side to La Crosse school referendum La Crosse School District asks voters to consider - La Crosse Tribune We had engineers assess Logan High School and the footings are not robust enough to support more than a single 70-foot by 40-foot addition in one section of the building. Supporters said the new school would invite new opportunities and solve budget issues. Widely trusted as 'The Source of the Sport!' You have permission to edit this article. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). You can cancel at any time. Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Steve Rundio Steve Rundio If School District of La Crosse voters approve a $194.7 million referendum Nov. 8, the district portion of taxes on a $100,000 property would increase by $8.. Engel says the district will need to spend money on its buildings one way or another. The plan to build a new high school on the south side, and convert Logan and Central into middle schools received just 30.9 percent of the vote. The $194.7 million consolidation plan by the La Crosse School District has been voted down. As our enrollment continues to decrease, addressing our facility needs must be a priority, said Board of Education President Juan Jimenez. The referendum question asks voters for approval of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $194,700,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: acquisition of land for and construction of a consolidated high school, including a performing arts center, athletic facilities and site improvements; renovations and improvements to the current high school buildings for conversion into middle schools; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures, and equipment. The 2022 La Crosse School District referendum failed by just over 10,000 votes. We are proud of the communitys support for this important measure and grateful for the trust the voters have placed in us, said Aaron Engel, district superintendent, in a statement. Over the last two years, the district assessed its oldest buildings, explored dozens of facility options, brought together focus groups and listening sessions, and gathered comprehensive feedback through two community-wide surveys. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. UW-L political scientist Chergosky on Facebook comment legislation, traffic shaming, another Indiana Jones, Supreme Court decisions, Commodores and First Mates launch 40th Riverfest for La Crosse, Minnesota extends deadline for Medicaid recipients to submit paperwork to keep coverage, The hazy future for caregiver payments expanded during the pandemic worries families, The Great Grift: More than $200 billion in COVID-19 aid may have been stolen, federal watchdog says, Education

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