Wausau School Board. MWC file photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Will there be a third consecutive school funding referendum question put before voters in the Wausau School District this spring?
School leaders appear poised to take up a proposal that would put a $181.9 million funding question on the April 5th ballot, after two previous building referendum questions failed in the last two elections.
RELATED: Wausau Voters May Take Up Another Referendum
The latest proposal would call for a $12 annual hike in the school portion of a taxpayer’s bill per $100,000 of property value and includes a variety of improvements such as deferred maintenance, expansion or remodeling of some district buildings, and the installation of field turf and lighting at some district athletic facilities.
The plan also includes the installation of air conditioning at all buildings that don’t currently have that luxury and security upgrades at nearly every building.
The district is currently proposing that the work would be done over four years ending in 2026. Some smaller projects on the docket wouldn’t start until 2025.
RELATED: Wausau School Board Committee OKs Referendum, But May Adjust Amount
During a December meeting, the board had discussed looking at smaller amounts, fearing that the proposal as written may not pass. The $181.9 million proposal is the only one included in Monday’s agenda packet, though a separate document does highlight items that could be removed from the proposal and what they would save.
That list includes a $15 million reduction by removing plans to separate gym and cafeteria space in buildings that currently don’t have those as separate areas and $18 million in savings for delaying some work at the high schools.
Tonight’s meeting begins at 5 PM and will be held at the East High School Auditorium. A live stream will be available on YouTube as well.
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