A proposed $150M referendum would close Nathan Hale, West Allis Central high schools. Here's what you need to know.
Bob DohrTaxpayers in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District will see a $149.8 million referendum on the April 5 ballot.
If approved, the district would close Nathan Hale and West Allis Central high schools and create a new consolidated high school.
Here are 6 things you need to know about what's being proposed:
What would be the result of a yes vote?
If approved, both high schools would be closed and Nathan Hale would be repurposed and remodeled to create a new, merged comprehensive and modern high school, according to the referendum information page on the West Allis-West Milwaukee district website.
The plan would create an opportunity for savings for taxpayers and a better high school experience for students, according to the district.
The new high school would have expanded career and technical education ("shop") spaces that build on the community's rich manufacturing history while creating new school-to-work pathways for students.
There would be 100,000-square-feet less to heat, cool and keep clean.
Consolidating the high schools would also result in the following: reduction in positions such as principal, assistant principal, secretaries, custodian and others; reduction in utility costs; reduction in waste removal costs; and reduction in annual facility maintenance costs.
Total annual savings with consolidation is projected to be between $2.5 million and $3 million.
Why is the referendum needed?
The school district faces three facility-related challenges:
- Aging schools. The average age of schools in the district is over 76 and they're challenging and expensive to maintain. An independent analysis found that many of the district's 23 buildings urgently need either repair or potential replacement due to infrastructure and building systems needs stemming from their advanced age.
- Too much square footage. In addition to having old facilities, the district operates too many schools for its current and projected enrollment. The district's enrollment has dropped significantly and has recently stabilized. In 1975, more than 12,000 students attended three district high schools, four intermediate schools and 16 elementary schools. Today, the district serves about 7,400 students at two high schools, one project-based learning high school, three intermediate schools and 11 elementary schools.
- Current facilities do not support modern learning. Because of the age of the school buildings and the way they were designed, many of the district's current facilities do not support a modern curriculum and how learning now takes place. This is especially true for the career and technical education spaces. MATC would partner with WAWM to fund and equip the new CTE spaces and share the shops. The district is looking to expand opportunities for its high school students to receive college credits and for MATC students to learn in modern facilities.
What kind of tax impact would there be?
If approved, the borrowing would create a yearly debt service tax levy increase of roughly $119 for every $100,000 of property value, according to the district.
If there's a yes vote, the district said community members will be able to take advantage of historically low interest rates and, because of good financial planning, the projected tax rate would still be less than what it was in 2020.
What's the wording of the referendum question on the ballot?
"Shall the School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee, et al., Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $149,800,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project to create a single comprehensive high school at a current district high school site, consisting of: safety, security, building systems and infrastructure updates; construction of additions, renovations and improvements, including additions for classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, a gymnasium and an auditorium; site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?"
More:Proposed $77.4 million Nicolet High School facilities referendum to go on April ballot
What would the timeline for consolidation look like?
If approved, the consolidation would begin in the 2023-24 school year and be implemented in phases, taking place over three to four years.
The new school would be named at a future date. There would be plans to memorialize both schools — school history, athletic achievements, etc. — in the new school.
The first graduating class of the new high school would be the district's current seventh-graders.
Where can I get more information?
The district has scheduled community information sessions where the public can learn more about the referendum:
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, Nathan Hale H.S. Auditorium
- 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, virtual
- 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, West Milwaukee Intermediate School Library
The district has information on its website, at www.wawmsd.org/discover/facility-planning, including a link to a community information Zoom session from earlier this month.
Contact Bob Dohr at 262-361-9140 or bob.dohr@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BobDohr1.