WCSD 2023 Referendum



Winneconne Community School District: Referendum Project Updates

 

Referendum Approved—Thank You!

 

Thank you for your support! On April 4, 2023, voters in the Winneconne Community School District supported the District’s referendum question, allowing the District to invest $28,300,000 to address:

·         Renovations at Winneconne Middle School (WMS) to revitalize and add another 50 years of life to the building.

·         Infrastructure improvements for aging building systems at WMS.

·         Replacement and reconfiguration of the high school parking lot to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

 

This successful referendum is the next step in the District’s Journey to the Future, which began back in 2016 with the community-supported $12.5M investment in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) addition and renovation, and the construction of the Winneconne Community Arts Center (WCAC). These projects positively impacted the Winneconne students and community.  

 

The Journey to the Future took a small detour when voters did not support a $47.8M referendum; the Winneconne Community School Board and administration acknowledged and respected this decision and gathered community feedback through a School Perceptions survey to determine how to move forward.  

 

A majority of all resident respondents supported renovating the Winneconne Middle School to be “like new” within its existing footprint for $28.3 million. This addresses the most immediate infrastructure and learning needs at the Middle School. The community spoke, the district listened, and Chapter 2 of our Journey to the Future was supported by our Winneconne community residents. 

 

The Winneconne Community School District staff, administration, and Board of Education extend sincere appreciation to the community for their support, and for exercising their right to vote. This referendum will address the most immediate needs of the district. We thank you for the opportunity to provide appropriate spaces for our students.   

 

Referendum Recap

 

The District asked voters to authorize $28.3 million for a facility improvement project that will address the most immediate needs of Winneconne’s facilities master plan:

  • Renovations at Winneconne Middle School to revitalize and add another 50 years of life to the building
    • Replace panel wall system with permanent walls to create better building flow and efficiency
    • Renovate kitchen, commons, and library
    • Transition computer labs into large-group collaboration rooms
    • Replace finishes which have exceeded their useful life
    • Improve the learning environment for all students in grades 6-8
  • Infrastructure Improvements for aging building systems at the middle school
    • Upgrade all building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire alarm, and bell)
    • Replace flooring, ceilings, and doors (as needed)
    • Address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) non-compliance
  • Replacement and reconfiguration of the high school parking lot to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety

 



Preliminary Construction Timeline

 

 

Design Phases

Following the approval of the referendum question, the architectural design process began for all District-wide projects. The District is working with their design (Plunkett Raysich Architects) and construction (Miron) partners to refine and advance the scope and manage the budget. The design process includes three distinct phases to advance preliminary concepts developed prior to the referendum.

·         Schematic Design (SD) – This phase is the first step in the design process and includes District input to drive design and develop drawings that provide definition to interior and exterior functions, space requirements, adjacencies, and overall design intent.  We have been utilizing User Groups consisting of staff to provide an opportunity for staff to think “big picture” about the potential renovations to learning spaces, drive design, and provide feedback.

·         Design Development (DD)– Once the building footprint has been confirmed and the team has a plan for interior space definition, we will transition into design development. During the DD phase, design concepts and advanced with precise details including structural design, specific mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems, and cabinetry, fixtures, and material selections are finalized. 

·         Construction Documents (CD)– In the final phase of the design process, final drawings and specifications used to construct the building, will be produced. All building components and defined in detail. These documents are used in the competitive bid process.

 

Design and Construction Updates

 

Updates on the community-approved referendum projects will be shared throughout the design and construction process. Please visit this page regularly to stay up to date on these important projects.

Project Updates will be shared quarterly, beginning this fall.

 

For More Information: