Shall the North Lakeland School District, Vilas and Iron Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $550,000 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses, including to maintain current programming?

Shall the North Lakeland School District, Vilas and Iron Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,700,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project at the school building and site consisting of: capital maintenance and building systems improvements, including heating/ventilation and electrical system updates; safety, security and site improvements, including for a secure main entrance; remodeling and Americans with Disabilities Act updates; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?

The planning process has included assessing our facility, working with staff, and engaging the community to determine priorities, needs and potential solutions. Since November of 2022, the District has:

• developed a community-based strategic plan for our district

• completed a detailed facility audit (conducted by an independent consultant)

• surveyed staff on facility deficiencies

• developed a long term facility plan

The areas assessed included aging infrastructure and focused on defining a fiscally-responsible solution for addressing our needs.

In January 2024, this comprehensive approach helped the Board of Education finalize the details of the operational and capital referendums as part of a long-term plan.

An OPERATIONAL referendum question asks voters to approve additional funding above the annual revenue limit to maintain things like class sizes, programs, and student services. Funds secured are used within the year they are received.

A CAPITAL referendum question asks voters to approve the district issuing debt to pay for major building projects, such as maintenance, remodeling or additions to school buildings. Similar to a home mortgage, a capital referendum is typically financed over an extended period of time, often 20 years.

North Lakeland receives no state aid and rising costs have limited our ability to fully address operational and facility needs within our annual budget.

• We are levying roughly the same amount of taxes as was levied in 2002 despite significantly higher costs.

• We have, and will continue to have, the lowest tax rate in the state. If both referendums are approved, the tax rate would still be lower than the 2022 tax rate.

• Waiting even one year could increase costs by $300,000 due to rising construction costs.

• Maintain educational excellence by retaining talented and experienced staff in a competitive labor market

• Single grade classrooms focusing on providing age-appropriate academic instruction

• Continue with current programming including music, art, physical education, foreign language and focused academic supports

• Sustain Outdoor Education programming and support

• Fund increasing costs for needs such as transportation, utilities, technology, curriculum, etc.

Safety and Security

• Improve security of building entrance and vestibule

• Replace original interior classroom doors with safety-enhanced doors

Repairs & Maintenance

• Retro-commissioning of existing HVAC systems and boiler plant

• Replace heating and ventilation controls and convert classroom unit ventilators with central air handler

• Repair or replace worn flooring, ceiling, doors, walls, and classroom cabinets

• Refurbish bleachers in gymnasium and provide more room for a walkway

• Brick, concrete, and window maintenance to repair cracking, sealants, and rusting

• Repair or replace failing exterior doors and windows in 1974 & 1992 sections of the building

• Upgrade main electrical service – replacement and upsize for current and future needs

• Replace original 1970 & 1974 electrical panels for improved reliability

• Replace older electrical outlets and add new ones to safely support increased use

Site Safety & Parking

• Reconstruct deteriorated parking lot asphalt

• Correct drainage to alleviate water pooling at highway entrance/exit

• Relocate and replace original 1970 water well to rear of building as required by new state regulations

Learning & Support Spaces

• Remodel special education classroom(s) to accommodate changing needs

• Renovate locker rooms, showers, and toilet rooms for ADA accessibility

Approval of both referendum questions would result in an annual estimated tax increase of $28.00 per year (OR $2.33 per month) for every $100,000 of property value over the current tax rate. The two referendum questions break out as follows:

• Question 1: Approval of the Operational Referendum would result in an annual estimated tax increase of $12 per year (OR $1 per month) for every $100,000 of property value over the current tax rate.

• Question 2: Approval of the Capital Referendum would result in an annual estimated tax increase of $16 per year (OR $1.33 per month) for every $100,000 of property value over the current tax rate.

If these referendums are not approved, our Board of Education will have to review options to meet these needs, as they cannot be addressed within current annual budgets. This would include assessing expenditures for staffing, classroom programming and materials, transportation, and co-curricular needs.

Although interest rates are still near historic lows, construction costs are increasing. Waiting even one year to complete this prioritized work could increase costs by an estimated $300,000.

• Register to vote at myvote.wi.gov

• Learn More about voting absentee by mail

• Election day voting is April 2, 2024. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm at the municipal buildings for each location.

• Absentee ballots can be requested beginning March 12 (three weeks prior to the election).

• Early in-person voting runs from March 19 – 29, 2024