SHAWANO, WI- Following the failure of the $54.5 million referendum at the polls on Tuesday night, the Shawano School District is now contemplating its next steps.
Superintendent Kurt Kirzan revealed that the process of initiating the referendum for the April ballot began over a year ago. Initially, there were aspirations for a $107 million referendum aimed at modernizing classrooms and labs, enhancing athletic facilities, introducing a daycare, and replacing the aging 70-year-old middle school building. However, after extensive engagement with community members, it became apparent that a smaller figure stood a better chance of passing.
Kirzan explained that approximately 40% of the proposed $54.5 million referendum was designated for critical maintenance needs, focusing on essential infrastructure elements such as HVAC systems and water heaters. Despite the reduced amount, it would have adequately addressed crucial issues while keeping the school district’s portion of the mill rate stable.
Disappointment loomed large as the election results revealed a narrow margin of failure, with just a few votes making the difference. Kirzan acknowledged the exhaustive efforts of the school board and administrative team in disseminating information and engaging the community.
The district is resolutely looking ahead and is committed to addressing the persisting maintenance needs while soliciting feedback from the community regarding future initiatives. Three sessions have been scheduled to gather input and suggestions from community members, aiming to refine plans for a potential November referendum.
Throughout the referendum formulation process, the district devised a 10-year facility plan to prioritize urgent needs over longer-term considerations. Currently, there are several critical items requiring attention within the next few years, including aging boilers, chillers, and a crack in the pool that demands immediate assessment.
Community input sessions are slated to be held at the Shawano Community High School library on April 15, April 17, and April 23, providing residents with an opportunity to contribute to the district’s future direction.
Dear Shawano School District Community,
I am reaching out to say Thank You to the Shawano Community for sharing your voice about our Referendum project. Although the results did not come out in our favor, we nonetheless thank you for taking time to vote and have your voice heard.
The question now becomes, what’s next?
The needs of the district have not diminished with this vote. As a school district and Community, we need residents to share their thoughts and reactions to the referendum results. As an avenue to gather this feedback, the Shawano School District will be holding community listening sessions with the School Board on the following dates:
Shawano School District Referendum – Community Listening Sessions
Shawano Community High School – Library 5:00-6:30 PM
● Monday, April 15th
● Wednesday, April 17th
● Tuesday, April 23rd
The School Board is working towards an August 27, 2024, deadline to process the community’s thoughts and concerns to create a revised referendum question that addresses the critical needs. This is the first step in allowing the community another opportunity to support our schools in November 2024.
Sincerely,
Kurt Krizan Superintendent – Shawano School District
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