SHAWANO, WI- Results from a recent survey sent to Shawano School District residents indicate a divided stance on the prospect of a new middle school, prompting district officials to consider alternative approaches for capital projects.
The survey, with 1,610 respondents, showed that the maximum amount of referendum money supported by residents is around $70 million. The projected cost for building a new middle school next to Olga Brener Intermediate School, including the demolition of the existing Shawano Community Middle School, is $53.7 million. If survey results hold, this would leave limited room for maintenance and expansion at other schools.
While 39% of respondents favor building a new middle school, 40% oppose it, and over 20% remain undecided. The current middle school, dating back to the 1950s, requires increasing maintenance costs.
Other proposed projects, including updates to Olga Brener, improvements to fine arts and athletics facilities at Shawano Community High School ($30 million), creating a daycare at Hillcrest Primary School, and upgrading the existing pool at SCHS, are estimated to cost a similar amount to the middle school project alone. This has led to considerations of prioritizing upgrades to existing schools and potentially maintaining the current middle school.
High priority support was indicated for maintenance and improvement to Olga Brener (39%), while projects at Hillcrest received the lowest priority responses at 19%. The community showed divided opinions on the pool, with 45% preferring repairs and 34% supporting closure.
The Shawano School Board, as of its Nov. 27 meeting, has not made a final decision on the referendum. Further discussions are scheduled for a special workshop on Dec. 18, with plans to approve referendum resolutions on Jan. 8, meeting the deadline for inclusion on the April ballot.
Consultants recommended a phased approach to the district’s capital needs rather than seeking all funding at once.
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