Webster School District - Referendum Information

The Webster School Board of Education approved at its December 16, 2019 meeting a Resolution Providing for a Referendum Election of the Approval of an Initial Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds in the Amount Not to Exceed $6,500,000.

A Referendum Ballot will be included with the Spring School Board Election on April 7, 2020.

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Webster, Burnett and Douglas Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school improvement program consisting of: construction of an addition to expand the career and technical education area of the Middle/High School; parking lot, athletic facility and site improvements at the Middle/High School; renovations, improvements and technology updates at the Elementary School and the Middle/High School; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

Superintendent’s Message

Webster School District is pursuing a $6.5 million referendum in the April 7, 2020 election. The decision to go to a referendum did not come lightly. The District conducted a facility audit in October 2018 that pinpointed various safety, equipment, and spacial concerns. A staff survey in May and community meetings in October and November 2019 agreed with those findings.

The District has remained mindful of taxes when it comes to improving school facilities. At $5.15 per thousand dollars of property, our mill rate is exceptionally low compared to the state average of $9.34. The last referendum was in 2000 to construct the 5-12 school facility, and we will have that paid off next year. If the proposed $6.5 million referendum passes, the new debt payment will remain the same amount as the previous debt payment, and we will pay it off in just over 9 years. We’re asking to just maintain our current levy amount to complete our projects; we are not asking for any new money. That’s why this referendum will not impact the tax levy.

If the referendum passes, proposed projects for each school include:

Elementary School

Update water heater
Replace outdated furniture in 10 classrooms
Make bathrooms ADA compliant
Replace playground equipment due to age and deterioration
Replace classroom windows in the primary wing due to age and inefficiency
Replace cafeteria floor and ceiling and remove any asbestoscontaining materials
Add parking lot lighting to increase safety and visibility
Replace deteriorated playground asphalt
Additional fencing for playground
Remove asbestos from three classrooms
Install key fobs for safety and security

5-12 School

Redesign parking lot due to safety issues
Update the fob system for safety and security
Expand Career and Tech Ed area
Update FACE equipment
Install shatterproof security film on office windows districtwide to enhance security
Replace athletic field lights, baseball and football scoreboards, bleachers (ADA), press box, resurface and add two lanes to track, pave football field parking lot, renovate baseball field, and address drainage issues
Demolish the boiler building
Replace cafetorium seating
Update IT network

If you have any questions, I urge you to contact me or any Board of Education member. We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions as we continue to work together to establish a safe, healthy, and trusting environment.

There will be a Community Informational Meeting on
March 12, 2020, 1 p.m. at the Larsen Public Library.