School District Seeks Community Input on Important Survey

School District Seeks Community Input on Important Survey

By, Anna Hirschinger

The School District of Reedsburg is seeking community input through November 17 on a variety of important issues that could affect teachers, students, and staff for years to come.

The survey comes on the heels of last year’s two referendum questions. One of those referendums passed, and the Innovation Center at RAHS is the result of its passage. The other question, which asked voters to increase operating costs for the district, did not pass, though the margin was relatively narrow at approximately 53 percent opposed to 46 percent in favor.

According to the survey, which is available to all community members, “Voters approved the question for facility improvements at Reedsburg Area High School, while the four-year, non-recurring operating referendum did not reach the 50 percent approval needed for passage. Since that time, the Board of Education has been gathering feedback and reviewing potential alternative solutions to the district’s needs. At this time, the Board is inviting all residents to share their thoughts and feedback through a community-wide survey.”

Community input is essential as the School District of Reedsburg considers its next steps and determines what kinds of proposals might get above the 50 percent threshold needed for any referendum to pass.

As the survey states, “In November 2024, the School District of Reedsburg asked voters to approve a four-year, non-recurring operating referendum to address projected budget deficits, maintain and expand rigorous academic programs and career pathways for all students, keep class sizes as low as possible, continue to attract and retain high-quality staff, and address the most urgent maintenance needs at Webb Middle School.”

Among the most important questions are the future of Webb Middle School as well as financial challenges facing the district as it seeks to attract and retain quality teachers and staff.

According to the survey, “had Wisconsin’s revenue limit kept up with inflation since 2009, the District would have had an additional $7,376,281 for the 2025-26 school year budget.”

The shortfall in funding has led the district to make changes such as these, which are noted in the survey:

• Reducing staff, including 6.8 teaching positions, two paraprofessional positions, and restructuring a director position from an administrative contract to a teaching contract.

• Reducing dental premiums based on claims history and sufficient reserves.

• Delaying the replacement of one regular school bus.

• Paying off existing debt early, saving more than $4.2 million in interest costs, and removing over $11.5 million in principal payments from outstanding debt.

Some of the survey questions include asking Reedsburg residents if they would be willing to increase property taxes to fund any improvements in the district.

Another question deals with the future of Webb Middle School. The survey specifically states that changes to Webb will not be put on a ballot for referendum in April 2026 but that community input is needed because the middle school will eventually need to be dealt with.

According to the survey, there are urgent maintenance needs at Webb Middle School. The school was initially built in 1954 as a high school and expanded in 1970. In 1998, the building was converted into a middle school.

There are several limitations to the building, including:

• Its location is adjacent to a 100-year floodplain and cannot be expanded.

• There are underground utility tunnels that house the electrical and plumbing systems. These tunnels frequently flood and have standing water.

• The central building systems, including heating, ventilation, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical, have exceeded their service life.

• Interior finishes (e.g., flooring, lighting) need to be replaced.

• Sections of the roof need to be replaced.

• The exterior brick requires maintenance.

• The windows need to be replaced.

• Student pick-up/drop-off is congested, creating safety concerns.

• Classrooms are small and lack space for student collaboration.

• Technical education classrooms and labs lack the necessary equipment to train students properly.

• The kitchen and cafeteria are outdated and congested.

• Some areas (e.g., bathrooms) do not comply with current federal accessibility requirements.

As the district evaluates long-term solutions to facilities needs at Webb Middle School, the survey asks residents which of the following options they would support exploring:

• Option A: Renovate the current Webb Middle School to meet today’s health, safety, and educational standards (approximately $104 million).

• Option B: Build a new middle school (6th-8th grades) (approximately $108 million).

• Option C: Build a new middle school (5th-8th grades) to provide increased flexibility in grade configuration and future space planning (approximately $117 million).

• Option D: Build a new high school complex and transition the current high school to serve middle school students (approximately $139 million).

Community and Staff Perspectives

Teachers, parents, and students have begun to review the options and provide their feedback.

Ms. Nicole Bruer, a teacher and parent, said she completed the survey because "community feedback is extremely important" and felt she had a "unique perspective that is worth sharing."

Bruer favored Option C: Build a new middle school (5th-8th grades) (approximately $117 million). "Webb is in a flood zone, I believe, and is in desperate need of updates," she stated. "For the additional 14 million, I think it's worth the tax increase to build an entirely new building."

Regarding the other options, Bruer added, "I don't think it makes sense to build a new high school coming so soon after adding the new Innovation Center and with the upcoming updates to our tech wing.”

Mrs. Teresa Carey also participated, describing the survey as "very informative and... written clearly and concisely." Carey's preference was to "build a new middle school as well as money for operational funding, and adding a tech ed teacher at the high school."

Carey emphasized the importance of participation, stating, "It is the only way the school board and superintendent will know what people in the community are thinking and feeling. They can't be expected to make an informed decision for the direction of the school district if people don't fill out the survey."

Students are also engaging with the survey. Mason Seidschlag, a student, confirmed he had filled it out and was aware it was available to students.

Seidschlag selected Option D: Build a new high school complex and transition the current high school to serve middle school students. "I believe a new high school would be able to offer better facilities and more opportunities for students," he said.

When asked about the possibility of a tax increase to fund the projects, Seidschlag was in support. "Yes, because it's helping our community," he said.

The survey remains open for all residents to complete until November 17.