After months of discussion in the community, voters approved the district’s school funding referendum earlier this month. The measure will allow the district to receive additional funding to complete renovations and take care of infrastructure issues across the district. According to information published on the district website, the funding will support both capital improvements and education renovations. It is crucial these changes happen as students and teachers deserve a safe, clean, and modern environment where they can focus on learning and growing.
Throughout the school year, students have reported several issues inside the high school. Leaking ceilings have been documented in multiple areas of the building, most times resulting in buckets placed in the middle of hallways to capture the dripping water. These leaks have appeared near classrooms and other common areas during the school day. Students have also reported mice in hallways and classrooms. While the school has taken steps to address this issue, some students say they have continued to notice it during the year. Problems like these show why the referendum funding is necessary. When basic building issues start affecting everyday school life, it becomes harder for students to focus on it. Concerns about building conditions were part of the larger conversation surrounding the referendum and the need for facility upgrades.
“I think fixing these problems will make school feel cleaner and more comfortable for everyone,” said Gabby Paterno 28’.
According to the SHSD website, the referendum includes both infrastructure projects and classroom renovations. Infrastructure work will focus on areas such as roofing improvements and security enhancements. Education renovations will involve updated classroom spaces and facilities for different academic programs.
Several major renovation projects are planned throughout the district. The high school renovations are projected to cost $21,962,755, while renovations at the middle school are estimated at $6,834,941. Elementary school renovations are expected to cost $9,226,561. These future projects are designed to improve both the physical condition of the building and the learning spaces used by students and teachers.
The school board has also planned several key educational upgrades as part of the referendum plan. These projects are intended to create more modern learning environments and support different academic programs. Planned improvements include updates to science labs used for chemistry, biology, and physics, along with the creation of STEM labs and technology classroom space. The plan also includes media center renovations, kindergarten classroom upgrades, and improvements to spaces used by the Special Education and STARS programs. Additional possible classroom renovations include the creation of culinary arts classrooms and updates to visual arts classrooms. These modern classroom and lab changes can help prepare students for future careers and make classes more engaging.
“I think updating classrooms will help students learn better and give us better access to learning tools,” said Maggie Calpin 28’.
The referendum will be financed through the issuance of bonds, which allows the district to spread the cost of the projects over time. According to the district’s financial plan, the costs are based on a projected 4.00% interest rate over a 20-year period. Because the projects are being financed through bonds, the district will receive 29.8% debt service aid from the state, totaling $11,344,849 in state aid. District officials note that this aid would not be available if the projects were funded through the district’s general operating budget.
The board also explained that bond payments are outside of the state’s 2% tax levy cap, which allows the district to continue using its yearly operating budget primarily for educational expenses rather than capital projects. The referendum was originally planned to have a net neutral tax impact, but district projections indicate that taxes may actually be slightly reduced.
Overall, the approval of this referendum is a pivotal step toward improving the district’s schools. These renovations are necessary to ensure students have a safe, clean, and modern place to learn for many years to come.
