Referendum Information
- Project Plan
- Referendum Planning Process
- Needs
- Referendum Question
- Fact Sheet
- Financial Investment
- Information Sessions
- News
- Contact Us
Project Plan
Project Description
The South Shore School District is seeking voter approval to authorize borrowing $14.75 million to update our school facility. This essential investment aims to address critical capital maintenance needs, enhance safety and accessibility, and provide an updated learning environment for our students. The comprehensive plan is created to ensure that our district continues to offer high-quality education in a safe and efficient settings supporting both current students and future generations.
Preliminary Concept Plan
This concept plan has been updated multiple times based on feedback from our stakeholders.
It is important to remember that if the referendum passes, the plan will continue to be refined in the design phase and will continue to change.
For more information, email questions to referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us
The proposed 2024 Facilities Referendum will fund the following projects -
- Renovations to the existing school to improve building organization by creating grade-level neighborhoods, ensuring that all grade levels are grouped in the same area.
- Incorporates flexible spaces designed for small group instruction and individualized learning, enhancing the educational environment.
- The creation of a central core area for student common spaces, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among students.
- Addition of a secure front entrance, community fitness room and classrooms to adapt to the security and space needs of our students and staff.
- Expanded parking and reconfigured bus routes to streamline traffic patterns and keep kids safer upon entry and exits.
Referendum Planning Process
Background: Beginning, in 2021, a Long-Range Planning Committee was established and tasked with identifying the current state and needs of the district. In 2022, the Board unanimously approved the Strategic Plan which included a set of Belief Statements, an updated district Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and four goals to work on over the next five years. Goal #3 reads, "By 2026, our current and future space needs will be met."
Some Facts:
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South Shore School District employs over 40 staff members who serve approximately 200 students ages pre-school through 12th grade.
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Enrollment has increased by over 20% in the last three years.
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The original high school building was constructed in 1977. The elementary school addition was added in 1990. Within the last 48 years, there has been only one renovation completed.
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Over the past 3 years, multiple in-depth professional assessments have been completed regarding the building in its entirety as well as the space needs with current and future enrollment in mind. The major findings and suggested course of action are outlined below.
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A community wide survey was sent out in April of 2024 to elicit feedback on education priorities, facility needs, financial support and school district satisfaction
SURVEY RESULTS: Through a community-wide survey, 57% of non-parent, non-staff respondents indicated support for a capital referendum to address facility needs. Respondents prioritized building system, ADA accessibility and safety and security updates.
Needs
Our original high school was constructed in 1977 and the elementary was added in 1990. Within the last 47 years, the elementary addition was the only major investment.
FAILING BUILDING SYSTEMS
- Many of the building systems are original to the 1977 building. These major building systems have significantly outlived their useful life, do not run properly, are not energy efficient and are at a risk of failure.
SAFETY CONCERNS
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Poorly configured pick-up/drop-off areas create congestion and pedestrian safety issues.
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The main entrance needs modification to better control visitor access.
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Security cameras and the emergency communication system are outdated.
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Some areas of the building do not comply with current ADA standards.
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The building's location at the base of a hill causes drainage issues and flooding
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The current fitness room is located on the upper-level, and presents challenges, including lack of accessibility, poor air quality, and difficulties in effective supervision
SPACE CONSTRAINTS
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The current building layout lacks flexible spaces for today’s education needs, like breakout areas for small group instruction and individualized learning.
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Some rooms are used as classrooms despite not originally being designed for that purpose, leading to inadequately sized spaces.
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Reorganization of space has forced the separation of grade levels, disrupting continuity and collaboration among students and staff.
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Not all classrooms have access to natural light.
Referendum Question
Referendum Ballot Question
Shall the South Shore School District, Bayfield County, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $14,750,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: construction of additions to include; safe and secure entrance and office, classrooms, and fitness center, renovations to library, restrooms for accessibility, capital maintenance, to include heating and ventilation and electrical system upgrades, safety site and traffic improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?
Official Documents:
- Initial Resolution Authorizing General Obligation of Bonds Not to Exceed $14,750,000
- Resolution Providing for Referendum Election
- Certificate of Compliance with Open Meeting Law
- Cerification of Minutes
- Excerpts of Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Education
- Notice to the Electors of the South Shore School District
Fact Sheet
Financial Investment
Our facility needs cannot be addressed within the annual operating budget. Therefore, the District must ask taxpayers permission to borrow money to cover the cost of the proposed building project.
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Referendum Amount: $14,750,000
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Estimated Mill Rate Impact: $1.96
Financial Estimate Assumptions:
Assumes project costs are borrowed in two phases: Interest rate at 4.75% for 2025 borrowing and 5.25% for 2026 borrowing.
Mill rate based on Preliminary 2024 Equalized Valuation (TID-OUT) of $513,521,942 with annual growth of 1% thereafter.
Financial information prepared by Robert W. Baird & Co Incorporated.
Information Sessions
Join us for informational sessions to learn more!
Thursday
September 19
Bell Community Center
2:00-3:00 PM
For more information, email questions to referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us
Tuesday
October 1
South Shore School
5:00-6:00 PM
For more information, email questions to referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us
Wednesday
October 2
Oulu Heritage Center
11:00-12:00 PM
For more information, email questions to referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us
Thursday
October 17
South Shore School
2:00-3:00 PM &
5:00-6:00 PM
For more information, email questions to referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us
News
Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Shore School District Adopts $14.75M Facilities Referendum for November Ballot
[Port Wing, WI]— On August 21, the South Shore School District Board unanimously adopted a resolution that will allow district residents to vote on a $14.75 million facilities referendum this November. The comprehensive plan is designed to ensure that our school continues to offer high-quality education in a safe and efficient setting, supporting both current students and future generations by addressing critical capital maintenance needs, enhancing safety and accessibility, and providing an updated learning environment for our students.
Built in 1977, the building has served our community well for nearly five decades. In 1990, the elementary school was added to the building; however, outside of the elementary addition, there has not been a major investment in the building, leaving much of the 1977 structure original.
Recognizing these growing challenges, the district embarked on a multi-year process, working with a community Focus Group to prioritize building needs and provide feedback on solutions. Additionally, more than 300 residents participated in a district-wide survey, offering invaluable feedback on how to move forward. This feedback was essential in creating community-driven solutions.
Survey results revealed strong community support for addressing the most pressing needs. In fact, 57% of non-parent, non-staff respondents indicated support for a referendum to address facility needs. The top priorities identified by the community included upgrading building systems, improving accessibility, and enhancing safety and security throughout the district.
If approved by voters, the $14.75 million referendum will fund several key projects, including updates and replacement of critical building systems such as heating, ventilation, and plumbing. The construction of a secure entrance, the expansion of classroom spaces and the fitness center, and renovations to improve ADA compliance in restrooms and other areas are also planned. These updates will ensure that the district’s schools are safe, efficient, and supportive of today’s teaching and learning environments. The referendum will also allow the district to reorganize learning spaces to better align with current educational practices. By creating flexible, collaborative environments for small group instruction and individualized learning, the District aims to foster a more cohesive and supportive learning experience for all students.
In the last 30 years, the District has not asked a capital referendum question to fund facilities improvements, therefore the District is debt free; meaning any investment will raise the mill rate or taxes. Therefore, the Board of Education has committed $3 million of fund balance (district savings) to offset the project cost to taxpayers, making the total project cost; $17.75 million.
With the resolution now in place, the district is set to embark on an information campaign leading up to the November vote. Information will be shared through Facebook, district-wide newsletters, referendum mailers, a series of public information nights and much more. The goal is to ensure that every resident is well-informed about the scope of the project, the needs, and the proposed solution.
For more information, please contact the District Office of the South Shore School District at 715-774-3500, visit our website, or email questions to referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us.