Referendum Information

The referendum project includes updates to heating, ventilation, and electrical systems, improvements to accessibility and safety, and updated learning environments with the addition of classroom, secure entrance and community fitness center. Renovations to the spaces This plan includes renovations that will improve building organization by creating grade-level neighborhoods, ensuring that all grade levels are grouped in the same area. Additionally, site modifications will address traffic concerns by expanding parking and separating vehicular and bus traffic.

In 2021, the South Shore School District formed a Long-Range Planning Committee to evaluate the district’s current and future needs. One of the district's primary goals is to address space requirements by 2026. The school buildings, constructed in 1977 and 1990, have only undergone one renovation in the last 48 years. Following professional assessments and extensive community input, it became clear that critical updates are needed to maintain and improve the facilities. The district is committed to addressing the most urgent needs based on feedback from a Facilities Focus Group, staff, students and over 300 community members who participated in a community-wide survey.

The Facilities Focus Group, derived from our Strategic Plan, consisted of over 30 community stakeholders who dedicated time to understand the facility needs and evaluate possible solutions for the district. Over the course of four meetings, the group reviewed building assessments, focusing on critical issues such as outdated and failing systems, safety concerns, and the need for modern learning spaces. Key priorities identified included upgrading the heating, ventilation, and electrical systems, addressing ADA compliance and safety, and creating flexible classroom environments. The Focus Group also emphasized the importance of the school as a community hub, proposing spaces like a community fitness center and expanded areas for collaboration and engagement.

In April 2024, a community-wide survey was conducted to gather feedback on educational priorities, facility needs, financial support, and overall school district satisfaction. The survey showed that 57% of non-parent, non-staff respondents supported a capital referendum to address facility needs. Respondents prioritized updates to the building systems, ADA accessibility, and safety and security measures. Additionally, the community pride and satisfaction scores were highest in School Perceptions history (and they have done over 10,000 surveys).

The community-wide survey asked residents to provide feedback on projects totaling $23.5 million. After analyzing survey feedback and discussions with the Focus Group and staff, the district prioritized the most urgent needs and reduced the referendum amount by 35%, bringing it to $14.5 million. This reduction reflects the removal of certain projects, including childcare facilities, additional classrooms, and a scaled-down building addition; as well as the $3 million district contribution from fund balance.

Yes, the new fitness center will have a secure exterior entrance, allowing community members to access the facility during designated times, for a fee. This setup ensures both student safety and community access, promoting health and wellness throughout the district.

The estimated school property tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $100,000 would be approximately $196 per year ($16.33 per month). For a $200,000 home, the increase would be $392 per year ($32.67 per month).

The school district intends to invest $3 million of its general fund balance into the project. This investment will reduce the total amount borrowed and, consequently, reduce the tax impact to taxpayers.

Fund balance is the amount of reserve, or savings, that the district has accumulated over many years of budget surpluses (annual revenues exceed expenses). It is important for a school district to build and maintain an adequate fund balance. Schools receive their operating revenues in large inflows at specific intervals throughout the year. School expenses are paid evenly throughout the year. An adequate fund balance allows a district to manage the mismatch in timing. Fund balance is also a safeguard against unforeseen changes in revenues or expenses.  A healthy fund balance should represent at least 25% of annual expenses. The district has been able to build its fund balance over time to $6,400,000, representing over 100% of expenses. Investing $3 million of this reserve in facilities will reduce the burden of the referendum for taxpayers while still maintaining a fund balance above 50% of expenses.

If your property is being reassessed, it means that the local assessor is adjusting the assessed values of the properties in your municipality to reflect current market conditions. The process is intended to bring the assessment in-line with the Fair Market or Equalized value of your property. This process is necessary to ensure fair distribution of tax burden. 

Reassessment does not change the tax revenue the school district collects, but it can shift the amount you personally contribute. If your new assessment increases compared to others in the district, your share of the taxes may go up. Conversely, if your assessment decreases or increases less than others, your share will go down. 

Think of the school district’s tax revenue as a pie. The size of the pie stays the same. When properties are reassessed, the size of each slice changes based on the new property values. If your property value increases more than others in the district, your slice of the pie gets bigger, and you'll pay more in taxes. If your property value increases less or decreases, your slice may shrink, meaning you could pay less. The total pie—the amount the district collects—doesn’t change, but your reassessment affects the size of your slice.

The design process will be highly collaborative, involving discussions with all stakeholders. The design phase is expected to last around 9 months prior to construction, with several iterations of planning discussions to refine the design. The process will also include input from both staff and the community to ensure the project aligns with the needs and expectations of all users. Building tours of similar facilities will help inform the design choices, and detailed programming will be conducted for each individual space. To help visualize the spaces, renderings and 3D models will be created during the design phase.

The preliminary schedule shows that if the referendum is approved, design will begin immediately, lasting approximately 9 months and involving a highly collaborative process with all stakeholders. Construction will be phased over 17 months, starting in spring 2026, with new spaces ready for occupancy once completed. This schedule is preliminary and will be finalized during the design phase, pending a successful referendum. We will work with our design and construction partners to create a phasing plan that allows us to maintain our primary focus of educating students and strategically phasing construction throughout the building to minimize disruption.

For more information, you can:

• Call the District Office: 715-774-3500

• Email: referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us

• Or attend one of our Referendum Information Sessions

  • Thursday, Sept. 19 | 2-3PM |Bell Community Center

  • Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 5-6PM | South Shore School

  • Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 11AM-12PM | Oulu Heritage Center

  • Thursday, Oct. 17 | 2-3PM and 5-6PM | South Shore School

Have additional questions you would like added to this document, please email referendum2024@sshore.k12.wi.us.