2022 Facility Referendum
The Wausau School District asked voters for funding to improve safety and security in and around our buildings, repair our aging buildings, and update some of our learning spaces to provide safe, healthy, and supportive environments for students and staff.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Update fire alarms, clocks and PA systems
While our facilities have served generations of district residents well, most of our buildings were constructed before newer school security standards were established. Our schools are safe. However, some of them require enhanced entrance security upgrades and modern emergency systems, such as updated fire alarms, mass notification systems, and video surveillance. In addition, traffic into and out of some of our schools can become congested and should be addressed as pavement is being replaced.
The April 2022 referendum incorporates funds to address entrance security, emergency systems, site traffic, and ADA accessibility upgrades, including:
More secure entryways
Updated fire alarms, clocks, and PA systems
Improved student drop off, pick up, and parking at some of our schools
Updates for accessibility (ADA compliance)
FACILITY SYSTEMS & DEFERRED MAINTENANCE
While our maintenance staff has made the most of the district’s maintenance funding, facility systems in several of our buildings have outlived their useful lives. This includes inefficient and outdated heating and cooling systems in some buildings. In other buildings, systems are obsolete and no longer supported by their manufacturer. These needs also include electrical systems that are not conducive to modern classroom use and lights that are both inefficient and no longer effective.
Additionally, several of our buildings have inefficient single-pane windows, worn-out floor coverings, worn ceilings, and aging roofs and pavement that require replacement.
While the district does have a maintenance budget to cover some of these costs, under the Wisconsin school finance system, most districts are not able to set aside enough money to cover big-ticket items like those described above.
The April 2022 referendum includes funds to address boilers and air-handling, electrical, lights, roofs, pavement, doors, floors, ceilings, windows, and building updates at our middle and high schools:
HVAC updates and repairs
More efficient lighting
Roof replacements and repairs
Improved temperature controls
Electrical and technological updates
Casework in classrooms
RIGHT-SIZED LEARNING SPACES
Update spaces to support group learning
Education has changed significantly since many of our school buildings were designed decades ago. While classrooms in our schools generally function well for traditional instruction, they are not aligned with the kinds of flexible environments found in colleges, universities, and workplaces today.
The district has a need to right-size learning spaces; especially at the middle and high school level, while at the same time, addressing increasing enrollment at some of our elementary schools.
The April 2022 referendum includes funds to right-size classroom spaces at:
Horace Mann Middle School
John Muir Middle School
Wausau Area Montessori Charter School
Wausau West High School
The April 2022 referendum also includes funds to add more classroom space at elementary schools where there’s growing enrollment and capacity issues at:
Riverview Elementary School
South Mountain Elementary School
Stettin Elementary School
