| By Big Radio News Staff |
By the end of April, the Janesville School District aims to send residents a survey laying out $169 million in building upgrades the district says are needed. This as the district plans for a possible facilities referendum.
The district seeks feedback on various spending plans that in the next few years would address a smaller portion what district officials say ultimately would be a $578 million in “basic” building maintenance needs.
The district says the $169 million plan for the district to upgrade its buildings’ electrical systems, plumbing, mechanical equipment, roofs, windows, along with other fixes to facilities would boost district debt repayments through the district’s tax rate by about $102 for a $100,000 home.
That would shake out to about $229 on the tax bill for an average, $225,000 Janesville home, the district estimates.
According to a boil down the district provided in an announcement on Thursday evening, the survey would ask residents for feedback on the facilities plan, including proposals to spend:
— $23 million to build new athletic facilities at Parker and Craig high schools, or instead renovate the athletic facilities and stadium at Monterey Park.
— $32 million in career and technical education classroom renovations at Parker and Craig high schools.
— $36 million in district elementary school classroom renovations.
— $19 million in special education classroom renovations.
— $13.8 million in continued safety and security enhancements at district facilities.
Janesville schools Superintendent Mark Holzman says the district and the school board has spent months poring over district needs. He says the district hopes residents will spend time completing a survey that lays out those needs.
“We must have community input,” Holzman says in a statement.
Holzman says the community’s survey response “will help guide our next steps.”
District residents can sound off in the survey through part of May.
Residents who receive surveys will get a unique code to use if they respond online. Multiple members of a household can ask the district for additional copies of the survey.
Find more information at the Janesville School District’s website under its facilities needs web page.
This report has been updated to include additional details supplied by Janesville School District on the cost to taxpayers of the district’s proposed, $169 million in district building fixes.
