Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more information about the upcoming referendum?
Watch the video presentation from our March 12, 2020 Open House.
#1. How was this plan developed?
The District and the Board of Education believe that to the best of our ability, we have done a thorough and comprehensive study of our building, engaged staff and the community in discussions, and surveyed members of our municipalities, so that the proposed referendum reflects the community’s priorities.
In 2014, the Dodgeland Board of Education (BOE) created a long-range capital improvement plan (updated annually) to proactively plan for our current and future infrastructure and educational needs. In 2019, the Board of Education selected Bray Architects to complete a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment of the building to assess the needs. Staff and community engagement, through face-to-face meetings and surveys, were an important part of identifying priorities and developing a community-driven solution.
A district-wide survey, conducted in Fall 2019 by School Perceptions, indicated that the majority of all respondents would likely support an investment in Dodgeland schools up to $20 million.
Based on the survey feedback, the Board of Education carefully prioritized the most important projects for the referendum, which total $17 million.
Due to postal route overlap, recently some Dodgeland residents may have received a survey from a neighboring school district. That survey was about an operational referendum which could potentially result in a tax increase, if approved. The Dodgeland survey was completely different. Our survey did not indicate a tax increase for the proposed Dodgeland referendum amount of $17 million.
- 2014-2018: Board of Education (BOE) Buildings and Grounds Committee Creates Long-Range Facilities Plan
- May-Aug 2019: Bray Architechts and Miron Construction Selected. Bray Conducts Facilities Assessment
- Aug-Sept 2019: Staff Survey and Staff Listening Sessions. Community Information Meetings on Assessment Findings
- Sept-Nov 2019: Preliminary Option and Budget Development. School Perceptions Conducts Community Survey
- Dec 2019-Jan 2020: Survey Results Shared with BOE. Scope Refinement. BOE Unanimously Adopts Resolution
Back To Top
#2. What is on the ballot?
The referendum question is very specific and addresses what the funds can be utilized for if the referendum passes. Funds may not be used for any other purposes other than as defined on the ballot and in all District informational materials.
The question will appear on the ballot as follows:
“Shall the Dodgeland School District, Dodge County, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $17 million for the public purpose of paying the cost of a district-wide school facilities improvement project consisting of: district-wide building systems and infrastructure updates and safety, security and site improvements; construction of an addition and renovations to the technical education area; renovations to classrooms, learning spaces, the library media center, commons and offices; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.”
Back To Top
#3. What is the tax impact of the proposed $17 million referendum?
If the referendum is approved, the debt portion of the school property tax bill will go down by approximately $0.40 per $1,000 of equalized property value. The total amount of the decrease is shown below:
$17 Million Referendum: Debt portion of the school property tax bill will decrease.
- Fair market property value of $100,000: $40 tax decrease per year
- Fair market property value of $150,000: $60 tax decrease per year
- Fair market property value of $200,000: $80 tax decrease per year
Back To Top
#4. How can taxes go down?
In 2020, the District will finish paying off the loan associated with building Dodgeland School in 2000. As a result, the debt portion of the school property tax bill will drop. This is explained in a video interview with Dodgeland School Board Members.
This loan payment reduction gives the community the opportunity to re-invest in our school building to improve learning spaces, safety, and infrastructure with a reduction in taxes.
How Can Taxes Go Down? - In 2020, the District will finish paying off the loan associated with building Dodgeland School in 2000. As a result, the debt portion of the school property tax bill will drop. This loan payment reduction gives the community the opportunity to re-invest in our school building to improve learning spaces, safety, and infrastructure with a reduction in taxes.
The District could borrow $17 million for the April 2020 Referendum and still reduce the tax levy for debt by an average of $150,000 and reduce the mill rate by $0.40/$1,000 of property value.
Back To Top
#5. Why is the district proposing this plan now?
The Dodgeland Board of Education believes that the time is right, because the current building debt will be paid off in 2020. If the referendum is approved, the District would be able to address infrastructure and safety needs, and refresh the teaching and learning spaces, while at the same time have taxes go down.
In 2020, the District will finish paying off the loan associated with building Dodgeland School in 2000. As a result, the debt portion of the school property tax bill will drop. This loan payment reduction gives the community the opportunity to re-invest in our school building to improve learning spaces, safety, and infrastructure with a reduction in taxes.
Back To Top
#6. Why can’t these needs be paid for out of the regular operational budget?
In 2014, the Board of Education created a long-range capital improvement plan to proactively plan for current and future upcoming infrastructure and educational needs. The building’s main infrastructure, such as the roof, doors, heating and cooling systems, asphalt and concrete areas, and windows need updates and repairs, which required the District to consider a replacement schedule for these core needs. In addition, the Board recognized that teaching and learning, and school safety needs had changed in the twenty years since the current building was designed and built, and updates are necessary.
Due to limited funding, infrastructure needs have been delayed year after year and could not be met through the operation budget. The Board of Education recognized a window of opportunity to address these needs through a referendum, while maintaining fiscal responsibility to taxpayers, because the current building debt will be satisfied in 2020. Therefore, adding the new debt will still result in a drop in the debt portion of the school property tax bill.
If approved, the referendum would support the learning of current and future Dodgeland students, while at the same time saving taxpayers money and protecting the current investment in our campus.
Back To Top
#7. What is included in the proposed referendum solution?
The referendum is for improvements in three key areas:
-
EDUCATIONAL SPACES - Teaching and learning areas throughout the building
-
SAFETY - Secure entry, pedestrian safety, and traffic flow
-
INFRASTRUCTURE - HVAC, windows, roofs, electrical, plumbing, and energy efficiencies
A district-wide survey, conducted last fall, indicated that the majority of all respondents would likely support an investment in Dodgeland schools up to $20 million. Based on the survey feedback, the Board of Education carefully prioritized the most important projects for the referendum, which total $17 million.
The identified priorities are:
-
Building-Wide Infrastructure Updates and Site Improvements, including concrete repair, asphalt resurfacing, and playground repair
-
Technical Education Classroom and Shop Addition and Renovations
-
Secure Entry and Elementary/District Office Renovations
-
Middle and High School Special Education and Resource Area Renovations Cafeteria/Commons Renovations
-
Elementary School Special Education, Art and 4K Classroom Renovations Library/IMC and Tech Center Renovations
Floor Plan
- Number 1 - Building-Wide Infrastructure Updates and Site Improvements
- Number 2 - Tech Ed Classroom and Shop Addition and Renovations
- Number 3 - Secure Entry and Elementary/District Office Renovations
- Number 4 - Middle and High School Special Education and Resource Area Renovations
- Number 5 - Cafeteria/Commons Renovations
- Number 6 - Elementary School Special Education, Art, and 4K Classroom Renovations
- Number 7 - Library/IMC and Tech Center Renovations
Color Key
- Tan = Existing
- Light Purple = Minor Renovation
- Dark Purple = Major Renovation
- Medium Purple = New Construction
Site Plan
- Number 1 - Asphalt Resurfacing: Main Lot and Drive, South Lot, Ring Drive
- Number 2 - New Concrete Paving: Elementary and High School Sidewalk and Plazas
- Number 3 - Elementary Playground Replacement
- Number 4 - High School Tech Ed Addition
Color Key
- Tan = Existing
- Medium Purple = New Construction
- Light Gray = New Pavement
- Dark Gray = Resurfaced Asphalt
- Light Purple = Playground Replacement
- White = Sidewalk Replacement
Back To Top
#8. How were the facilities assessed?
As part of the District’s long-range capital planning, the Dodgeland Board of Education selected Bray Architects in Spring 2019 to complete a comprehensive Facilities Assessment as the first step in developing a long-term facilities plan.
The Facilities Assessment included a complete review of the inside and the outside of our school building and campus, and serves as a detailed planning document with foundational information. This data supported the Board of Education’s prioritization of learning environment, safety and infrastructure needs and improvements to develop a fiscally responsible, long-term facilities solution.
Bray’s summary findings of the Facilities Assessment were presented to the School Board on August 19, 2019. The District Board also hosted several input sessions for staff and two community listening sessions in Fall 2019 to discuss the Facilities Assessment findings and to gather input that guided facilities-related decision making.
Back To Top
#9. If the referendum is approved, will work be competitively bid?
Yes. The construction manager and the District will competitively bid the work out in Spring 2021.
Through a competitive process, the Board of Education has selected a construction manager to oversee the total construction project. If Dodgeland’s referendum passes and construction ensues, all components of the project will be competitively bid. Multiple bids from subcontractors and suppliers will be solicited and the District will have the final selection decision. This will ensure the most cost-efficient process.
Back To Top
#10. What is the timeline for construction if the referendum passes?
If the community approves the $17 million referendum on April 7, design planning would begin immediately and last through early 2021. Bidding would take place in Spring 2021, with construction beginning in Summer 2021 and going through the Summer of 2022. Construction will be carefully planned to minimize disruption to student learning and access to the building and school campus. More detailed planning information will be shared with the public as it becomes available.
Back To Top
#11. What will the District and Board of Education do if the referendum does not pass?
If the referendum fails, the District will address emergency repairs only in the 2020-21 school year. Funds will need to be taken from operational funds, which could impact staffing, student programming and other educational areas. The Board of Education will also re-engage the community, staff and families to modify the recommended plan for a potential future referendum.
The District and the Board of Education believe that to the best of our ability, we have done a thorough and comprehensive study of our building, engaged staff and the community in discussions, and surveyed members of our municipalities, so that the proposed referendum reflects the community’s priorities.
Back To Top
#12. What will happen to the school tax rate if the referendum does not pass?
After 2 years, the Net effect on the Total Mill Rate would be a reduction of $2.60.
The explanation for this reduction includes the following calculations for Dodgeland School District:
-
The final debt payment for the prior referendum is $1,424,000, which equates to $3.82 of the total school mill rate in 2019-20. That payment and mill rate would go to $0 in 2020-21.
-
If that occurs, the district will experience a $455,000 reduction in the state aid payment in the following year in 2021-22 which will increase the mill rate by $1.22.
-
In 2019-20, the District receives 61% total aid reimbursement of expenditures from the State. However, each new $1 of expenditure is reimbursed at the 32% tertiary level. Therefore, the current estimate for the amount that will be lost in state aid is $455,000 ($1,424,000*0.32) or a $1.22 increase to the mill rate. ($455,000/$372,731,996)
Source: RW Baird. These are all estimates based on existing current school finance data points as of February 2020.
Back To Top
#13. How can I learn more about the proposed referendum?
We encourage citizens to watch their mail for a referendum newsletter, visit our District website, our District Facebook page, and attend an upcoming open house to learn more about the projects.
Open Houses will be held:
-
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Clyman Village Hall, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
-
Monday, March 9, 2020 at Reeseville Community Center, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
-
Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Dodgeland School Commons, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
-
Monday, March 16, 2020 at Lowell VFW, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
You may email or call (920) 386-4404 ext. 1014 for more information.
Back To Top
#14. Where can I find voting locations, times and information?
To determine your voter status, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, find your polling location, and view sample ballots, go to My Vote Wisconsin.
Back To Top
|