REFERENDUM 2017 LONG-TERM, DISTRICT-WIDE, FACILITY SOLUTION OUr future is now VOTE NOVEMBER 7, 2017 OUR Ki DS. OUR COMMUNiTY. DISTRICT-WIDE GROWTH #STUDENTS 3600 3500 3400 3300 3,353 3200 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18* 22% INCREASE IN THE LAST 15 YEARS ENROLLMENT GROWTH 3,437 3,463 3,492 SCHOOL YEAR 125+ STUDENTS IN THE HIGH LAST 3 YEARS ENROLLMENT RECORD *enrollment numbers as of 9/22/2017 On November 7 th, residents of the School District of Milton will have the opportunity to vote on a long-term, equitable, Districtwide solution to address District and community needs: LONG-TERM SOLUTION: A long-term solution that positively impacts every student in every building by reducing overcrowding and giving greater access to academic programming. PLANNED FOR TODAY AND THE FUTURE: Solves space needs created by record enrollment and provides space for future enrollment growth in all schools. LISTENED TO TAXPAYERS: Using valued taxpayer input, this solution reduces project costs by 20% from the 2016 referendum question. THE TIME IS NOW: Interest rates remain at historic lows and our needs are critical, which makes now the perfect opportunity to address our facilities needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility. REFERENDUM OPEN HOUSE WED. OCT. 11 TH 6:00-8:00 P.M. DETAILS ON PG. 6 IN THIS ISSUE: THE SOLUTION p. 2-3 OUR NEEDS p. 4 TAX IMPACT p. 4 FAQ s p. 5 UPCOMING EVENTS p. 6
THE SOLUTION BENEFITS ALL PRE K-2 Increased space created will allow for needed group learning areas, better individualized learning spaces for all students, and necessary teacher prep space, all which will provide better opportunities for making positive impacts on student learning Moves classrooms out of the basement at East Creates additional space for future growth Harmony Elementary (Currently K-3, Proposed PRE K-2) Main Level West Elementary (Currently PRE K-3, Proposed PRE K-2) Consolidated Elementary (Currently K-3, Proposed PRE K-2) East Elementary (Currently PRE K-3, Proposed PRE K-2) Lower Level INTERMEDIATE 3-5 Creates two intermediate buildings (Northside & current middle school) Reduces overcrowding at Northside building (currently housing 725+ students) Northside Intermediate (Currently 4-6, Proposed 3-5) 3-5 Grade level reconfiguration is better aligned for academic programming opportunities (currently 4-6) Creates additional space for future growth p.. 2 Main Level PRE K-8 KEY Upper Level Space that is presently occupied and with the proposed solution would be either re-purposed or become available for current/future growth Middle School (Currently 7-8, Proposed convert to Intermediate 3-5) Addition at East Elementary
STUDENTS in the DISTRICT Note: Floor plans are not to scale. MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-8 6-8 Grade level re-configuration is better aligned for academic programming Main Level Reduces overcrowding Milton High School (Currently 9-12, Proposed convert to Middle School 6-8) Lower Level Moving middle school students to the current high school building will open up space and allow for better learning resources, such as Science and Tech Ed labs Creates additional space for future growth Conceptual design of proposed New Milton High School (to house 9-12) HIGH SCHOOL 9-12 New high school reduces overcrowding throughout the District Upper Level Allows space for better current academic programming for grades 9-12 Lower Level Creates additional space for future growth High Street 9-12 KEY Applied Tech/ Engineering Arts Circulation Improves community programming by providing new facility space Co-curricular Common General Class Physical Education Service Special Education STEM Classroom Student Services Administration p. 3
"I'm proud so many people want to attend our schools. The need for a referendum is a by-product of our success" ON N OVE M BER 7 TH, RE S IDE N TS O F THE S C HOOL DIS TRIC T OF M IL TON W IL L HAVE THE OP P ORTUNITY TO VOTE IN A S P E C IA L E L E C TION ON THE F OL L OW IN G RE S OL UTION : -Tim Schigur, Superintendent School District of Milton Over the past 15 years, the School District of Milton's enrollment has grown by more than 22 percent. Student enrollment has increased by over 125 students within the last three years alone. 3600 3500 3400 3300 3200 NR E T EN LM OL 3,437 Shall the School District of Milton, Rock and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $69,900,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a District-wide school building and improvement program consisting of construction of an addition at East Elementary School; conversion of the current high school to the middle school; construction of a new high school and related site improvements on land adjacent to the current high school owned by the District; renovations and improvements to provide for reconfiguration of grade levels; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment? H WT O GR 3,463 3,492 3,353 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18* *enrollment numbers as of 9/22/2017 The total cost of the proposed District-wide solutions for all schools is $69.9 million. The estimated tax impact is $1.46 per year per $1,000 of property value. Reduces the challenges of current overcrowding in our classrooms, in every building, and allows for needed group learning areas, better individualized learning spaces for all students, and necessary teacher prep space, all which will provide better opportunities for making positive impacts on student learning. PROPERTY VALUE ESTIMATED TAX IMPACT PER MONTH PER MONTH www.milton.k12.wi.us/district/tax-calculator.c f m 20% COST REDUCTION FROM THE PREVIOUS CAPITAL REFERENDUM QUESTION The estimated maximum property tax rate increase per $1,000 of fair market value for school debt payments would begin in the 2018-19 school year. Please note that the tax impact would appear on the tax bills issued in December of 2018, but NOT on the current 2017 tax bill. Preliminary tax impact estimates are based on an average interest rate projection of 4.00-5.00%. All tax impact estimates provided by financial consultants from Robert W. Baird & Co. p. 4
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: WHAT IS THE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUED ENROLLMENT GROWTH AND RESULTING SPACE NEEDS UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN? A: This is a PRE K-12, District-wide solution. It provides for future growth in all schools, while maximizing existing District resources. Q: WHAT IS THE VIABILITY AND COST OF AN ADDITION/ REMODEL SOLUTION? A: In Sept. 2015, much time was dedicated to development of Options 5A and 5B, which were both addition and remodel solutions. In May 2016, Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) and the District defined, JP Cullen budgeted, and the FACT Committee reviewed Options 4 and 8, which were both addition and remodel solutions. While additions and renovations were explored, there is no addition and remodel option that creates as much space and addresses all the District current and long-term facility challenges at a lower cost than the current solution proposed to taxpayers. Q: IS THIS REFERENDUM ALL ABOUT SPORTS? A: No. This referendum is about reducing overcrowding in all our schools and improving the learning environment for all our students. That commitment to student learning is reflected in our annual budget. Less than 1 percent of our annual operational budget is spent on athletics and activities. The proposed new high school has a gym similar in size to that of Edgerton, WI (a district 1/2 our size) and the replacement of our 52 year old swimming pool with a standard-sized high school competition pool. Both of these are within the plans for the new high school, and both are used for curricular learning, cocurricular activities, and community activities. Q: WHAT IMPACT WOULD THE PROPOSED SOLUTION HAVE ON THE RAILROAD CROSSING AT MUNICIPAL DRIVE, AND HOW WOULD THE COSTS FOR ANY PROPOSED UPGRADES TO THE CROSSING BE PAID? A: District staff contacted the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR). A signal analysis was already completed. Pursuant to state law, if the commissioner deems a new signal is necessary at any of the crossings, the Office of the Railroad Commissioner s budget would pay for the new signal. Q: WHAT IMPACT WOULD THE PROPOSED SOLUTION HAVE ON CITY INFRASTRUCTURE (E.G. PUMP STATION), WHAT UPGRADES WOULD BE REQUIRED, WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST, AND HOW WOULD THE COSTS BE PAID? A: District staff have met with City staff and engineers to look at potential project costs associated with utilities and road improvements. City infrastructure and road improvements are estimated to be approximately a maximum of $750,000 total and are included within the $69.9 million dollar total solution project budget. The Board approved a traffic study to be conducted in September of 2017, and the results of that study will be shared with the community in early October of 2017. Q: WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE EXISTING MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING UNDER THE PROPOSED SOLUTION? A: Due to significantly increasing enrollment, an effort to reduce overcrowding in all schools and complete staff s recommended grade-level reconfiguration, the existing middle school and Northside Intermediate School would be used as grade 3,4,5 level buildings. This would maximize the use of both buildings and help reduce overcrowding in all schools. This plan ensures the best curricular alignment of grades 6-12 and reduces overcrowding and potential class sizes in all elementary schools, the middle school and the high school. Q: IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISTRICT TO PARTNER WITH THE YMCA ON BUILDING AND/OR OPERATING A NEW POOL AND TO PARTNER WITH BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE (BTC) WITH THE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTER? A: Discussions about potential partnerships have occurred. The current BTC partnership creates an aligned scope and sequence that maximizes higher level educational opportunities for students using the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center while still having introductory Tech Ed, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) classes at the new Milton High School. Potential partnerships like the YMCA and BTC continue to be explored. Q: HOW HAS SAFETY AND SECURITY BEEN ADDRESSED TO THIS POINT AT EACH DISTRICT FACILITY, WHAT IS THE PLAN TO ADDRESS SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE FUTURE, WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST, AND HOW WOULD THE COST BE PAID? A: Significant investments were made this year to improve school safety. Secure buzz-in, check-in entrances at Milton East and Milton West Elementary Schools were completed this summer. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant bathroom issues and additional school safety projects continue to be addressed in our capital maintenance and improvement plan. ADA compliance will be addressed at the current high school, as it would be a part of renovations necessary to convert it to a middle school. Q: DID THE DISTRICT EVALUATE OTHER POTENTIAL SITES FOR A NEW HIGH SCHOOL? A: Yes. Land acquisition costs and utility costs, in addition to transportation issues associated with moving shared facilities currently at Schilberg Park, made such potential sites cost prohibitive. Q: WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF A VERTICAL ADDITION TO THE EXISTING HIGH SCHOOL? A: A structural engineer from PRA evaluated this option and based upon his analysis, the building was not structurally designed for the foundation of holding a 3 rd floor. p.. 5
School District of Milton 448 E. High Street Milton, WI 53563 Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Milton, WI Permit #41 OUr future is now VOTE NOVEMBER 7, 2017 OUR Ki DS. OUR COMMUNiTY. OCT 11 OCT 16 NOV 7 ATTEND REFERENDUM OPEN HOUSE Wednesday October 11 th at 6:00-8:00 p.m. Milton High School Brief presentation at 6:30 p.m. ABSENTEE VOTING Absentee voting will begin on Monday, October 16 th, and will end on Friday, November 3 rd. For more absentee voting information, visit myvote.wi.gov. or the District website. WHERE TO VOTE? Election day is Tuesday, November 7, 2017 Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For poll locations and voter registration information, visit myvote.wi.gov LEARN MORE: www.milton.k12.wi.us/district/referendum-2017.cfm p. 6