Wausau Board of Education approves referendum for April 5 ballot

For the Wausau Times

WAUSAU — At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Wausau School District Board of Education approved a referendum question that will appear on the April 5 ballot.

“If approved by voters, the $119,800,000 million referendum

would lower the tax levy, while at the same time allow the district to address

its most pressing facility needs. The district would move forward with safety

& security improvements at all elementary schools, as well as, adding

additional classroom space at Stettin, South Mountain, and Riverview

elementaries to address increasing enrollment and alleviate capacity concerns.

The district is also moving forward with all work at its middle and high

schools; addressing deferred maintenance and safety and security needs. It will

also make facility improvements at the Wausau School Forest, including a new

Environmental Learning Center,” a district release stated.

“The Board of Education’s proposed solution has been created

based on the input and feedback of the community. This effort included online surveys

for community and staff members, three community engagement sessions, staff

listening sessions at all schools and engagement on social media. The district

and board have also communicated and gathered feedback through a facility needs

webpage and via the local media.”

“We are pleased to have a solution to our schools’ facility

needs that has truly been developed using a community-driven process,” said Pat

McKee, board president. “We believe the solution on the ballot represents a

strong balance between meeting our district’s needs and those of our

taxpayers.”

An approved referendum would have an estimated property tax

impact of negative $0.43 on every $1,000 of property value in the school

district. The owner of a home valued at $150,000 would see an annual tax

reduction of about $64.50.

For more information, visit www.wausauschools.org.