The MPSD Board of Education has placed a $25 million critical maintenance, building infrastructure, safety and security referendum on the April 1, 2025 ballot.
District residents will vote on whether to allow MPSD to borrow up to $25 million to fund critical buildings and grounds needs, including many common projects across schools district-wide such as:
- Student pick-up, traffic and pedestrian safety improvements
- Electrical main services, emergency generators and fire alarm upgrades
- LED lighting and security cameras
- HVAC and plumbing systems
- Exterior tuckpointing, windows, roofs, doors, ceilings and floors
- Asphalt parking and concrete sidewalk repairs
- ADA - elevators, ramps and bathrooms
SEE THE LIST OF PROJECTS HERE
Tax Impact
If approved, the borrowing for the facilities maintenance is projected to add 16 cents per $1,000 of equalized value to the 2025-2026 school property tax rate. That would add $16 for a $100,000 home or $32 for a $200,000 home.
Board Commits to Making Operational Cuts to Offset the Borrowing Costs
The MPSD Board and District Administration are committed to making cuts in MPSD's operations budget to offset these borrowing costs and keep total district taxes flat to slighting increasing for inflation only. Because staffing costs represent the largest part of the district's budget, a district administrative team is reviewing ways to adjust staffing levels to better match MPSD's enrollment, to cost costs and lessen the tax impact on local residents.
We have aging buildings that were
built in the 1920s, '30s, '50s and '60s. Under state revenue limits, we had had to prioritize staffing and programs over facilities. Many building components are at the end of their useful life. We need to make these improvements for the safety and security of our students, staff and families.
The $25 million is about half of the $47 million in immediate facilities needs that were identified in a
district-wide facilities assessment completed in March 2024. That assessment found a total of about $161 million in needed repairs and safety improvements across all facilities over the next 10 years. A community Facilities Advisory Committee will meet monthly from February 2025 through next fall to develop recommendations for a long-term district master facilities plan.
Operational Referendums vs. Capital/Facilities Referendums
While MPSD has had to rely on renewing operating referendums to maintain our educational programming, it has been 21 years since the district asked for a facilities referendum, also known as a capital referendum - which is what the $25 million April 1, 2025 referendum is.
In 2004 MPSD voters approved a capital referendum to borrow $1.4 million to support the school lunch program. In 1997 -
28 years ago - the community supported a $25 million capital referendum to make improvements to Lincoln High School and most district schools.
The MPSD is one of few districts that has not gone to the community for decades for facilities needs. In the past 20 years 85% of Wisconsin public school districts (356 out of 421) have held at least one capital referendum, with many districts seeking approval for multiple building projects. This includes many districts in Manitowoc County and the greater region.
We will be sharing more information about the April 1 critical maintenance, safety and security referendum and will host community information sessions. If you have any questions or ideas about our future facilities, please reach out to Interim Supt. Lee Thennes at 920-686-4781 or
[email protected].