Post Messenger Recorder -

The Belleville School Board has voted to place a referendum question on the November 8th ballot that aims to address a number of the district’s needs. The board’s vote follows a multi-year process that included engaging a task force of community members and staff, studying facility needs, identifying options to better serve the needs of the district and the community, and conducting a survey.

If passed, the referendum would upgrade classrooms and other learning spaces to better support teaching and learning; secure building entrances; add security cameras; upgrade fire alarms; add separate bus and parent drop-off and pick-up areas to increase safety; address necessary plumbing, roofing, electrical, heating, and ventilation needs; and increase long-term efficiency by consolidating school buildings.

The cost of the referendum will not exceed $20.75 million, and thus will have an estimated tax levy increase of $99 for every $100,000 of property value. The district’s ability to restructure soon-to-be-paid-off debt lessened this tax impact.

The plan that will be presented to voters in November reflects the priorities of the taxpayers, meets the needs of students, and addresses long-range facility needs. As part of the process to evaluate the needs of the district, the Board of Education enlisted the assistance of an Ad Hoc Educational and Facilities Planning Committee that was open to all community members. That group first convened last year and met monthly over the school year to prioritize the district’s needs, consider the district’s financial situation, review options the district’s architect presented, and conduct a district-wide community survey. The committee was composed of nearly 50 participants, including district residents, staff, retired staff, parents, non-parents, business representatives, and students.

The November referendum seeks to address numerous needs across the district. At the Intermediate School, the referendum will add classrooms and cafeteria space and allow the district to change grade configurations so the building can become an early childhood through 6th grade school. In addition, learning space enhancements, including new flooring, lighting, and cabinetry and a larger library will be made. Site improvements that will make student drop off and pick-up more safe and heating and air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and technology wiring improvements will be made. In addition, roofs will be fixed and windows and doors will be replaced.

At the middle and high school, minor renovations will be made to provide secure entrances, site and safety improvements will be made by upgrading Hayden Road, expansions will be made to Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM), the fitness/weight room will be expanded, and additional upgrades, including roof and lighting, will be completed.

Finally, the district will vacate the current elementary school, as costs to maintain and improve the building are prohibitive. A decision about what to do with the building will be made with the public’s input at a later date.

“The referendum question that will be placed on the November 8th ballot, the first school referendum in the district in twenty years, was created over the past two years with the active and ongoing participation of dozens of community members,” said Angela Edge, School Board President. “If passed, this referendum will address our most urgent facility needs and will go a long way in moving the Belleville Schools forward.”

For more information about the November 8th referendum question, please visit one of the open houses that are being held at the Intermediate School Cafeteria on September 8, 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., and October 5, 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Residents are also encouraged to visit the district’s website, belleville.k12.wi.us, or contact Superintendent Pam Yoder at (608) 424-3315 or yoderp@belleville.k12.wi.us with questions.