APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Just a month before the November elections, school officials in Appleton are trying to prepare the public for a vote worth over $130 million.
“Twenty-two of our 27 schools are over 50 years of age. On average, our schools average 66 years of age,” explained Appleton Area School District Superintendent Greg Hartjes. “They’re very solid buildings, but yet they just need to be updated.”
Hartjes said the condition of the schools is the main reason the district needs more funding. He said the district is paying off previous referendums and will soon be debt free.
“I’m excited for it,” Appleton parent Jenny Hintz said. “Honestly, I am really excited for the STEM labs for all the kids. Every school is going to get something.”
Hintz is a parent of three students in the district. She said she’s in favor of the referendum and appreciates the district for doing its part to educate residents with its listening sessions.
“I think it it’s great. I would love to see more people coming out to all of them, even if they’re not in favor, just to come and learn more about what’s going to happen.”
Hartjes says turnout for the first listening sessions have been low, so the district is promoting the referendum in other ways.
“Through social media. We have a web page that has a lot of information. So, if we’re not getting individuals to come to the listening sessions, we’re trying to at least have them go to the web page.”
The referendum includes an operational and capital question. The capital question is a one time, $129.8 million payment that would support a new elementary school and additions to schools at every level. The operational cost would be $5 million per year and focuses on retaining staff and keeping class sizes low.
The referendum would result in a property tax increase in the district.
“The number that we’ve been projecting is $39 increase on $100,000 of property,” Hartjes said.
Hartjes says the the listening sessions have also been held to respond to comments from parents and community members.
