Richland School District releases results of community referendum survey

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. (WRCO/WRCE) – The Richland School District released the results of its community referendum survey at a special school board meeting Thursday.

According to the survey, the majority of respondents in the school district supported both proposed referenda, one for facilities and one for continuing operations.

According to a presentation by the Morris Leatherman Company at the special board meeting, 53% of survey-takers said they supported or strongly supported a $40 million referendum for facilities. However, when responding to a tax impact question, only about 29% said they’d approve a tax impact of $14 per month or more. The survey company explained that the tax tolerance of the community in previous survey work is about 60% for a $25 million referendum. The presentation also showed that 41% of survey respondents opposed a facilities referendum.

The district’s project summary that was presented Thursday showed a $24.975,000 facilities referendum cost, which would include updates to safety and security, accessibility, tech ed and career spaces, and air conditioning and quality. The cost would also handle over $5 million in deferred maintenance for school buildings, such as roofing.

Notably, Thursday’s presentation included disclaimers that athletic facility and auditorium projects would not be part of the nearly $25 million, with the three proposals finishing last in the community survey of nine items listed. The district was seeking around an additional $2 million to update its auditorium, over $1.6 million for artificial turf for an outdoor field, and $12.7 million for a fieldhouse and fitness center.

According to the survey, all three projects were supported by the majority of respondents, with the two athletic facility projects receiving 55% support and the auditorium 59%. However, six other items were far ahead in the survey.

82% of the survey-takers supported a property tax increase for safety and security. Accessibility, CTE, and air quality/conditioning updates all received between 73% and 77% support.

Security and safety updates proposed include redesigned parking and traffic flow, renovating entrances and offices, utility updates, cameras, and secure entries. Accessibility updates would include bathroom renovations, sidewalk, curb and ramp repairs, new paths to athletic facilities, and other changes to classrooms and common areas to meet ADA requirements.

Air quality projects proposed include adding air conditioning to the district facilities, updating heating systems, replacing windows and lights, and expanding kitchen ventilation. Tech ed and career spaces would get additional storage and other updates to make the spaces more efficient.

Other facility projects proposed include replacing the roofing on school buildings, pipe work, and new furniture for classrooms.

Projects not included in the scope of the nearly $25 million proposed referendum question include the athletic and auditorium projects, fire alarm replacement, new doors for school buildings and other site upgrades.

An operating referendum question for $2.5 million had strong support in the survey, with 69% approving the proposal and 25% opposed.

The board also discussed how to handle the operating referendum question, whether to place it on the ballot as a recurring or non-recurring item. A recurring item would mean not having to go back to voters if a new round of operational funding was needed, because the revenue limit is permanently increased. However, the amount of money the district would get would fall as enrollment declines. A non-recurring operational referendum would bring in the full amount asked for and provide annual flexibility, but it also would mean having to ask for new operational funding every cycle.

The survey also revealed other data about the district, including an overwhelmingly positive job rating for teachers at 85%, as well as generally positive perceptions in how the district handles its finances, hires good teachers, and gets involved in the community.

The survey had a 5% margin of error and was done by phone in early December, according to the board presentation. 400 random Richland School District residents were called to take the survey, with about 6.5% that didn’t take the survey.

You can see the presentations below.

The school board also discussed when to do the referendum, weighing the pros and cons of having them in the spring or fall. The board will meet Monday to take action on referenda items, including when to put the question or questions out to voters. Districts in Wisconsin have until Jan. 23 to get paperwork filed for questions to appear on the April 2 Spring Election ballot.