Why now?

The concerns that were brought forth in previous referendums have not improved and need to be addressed. Many of the items are extensive and cannot simply be budgeted for within our current funding system. Areas in need of updating have stood the test of time for 40 years or more, but time marches on.

Interest rates are at a historic low and borrowing money now to make these repairs makes sense. The market is extremely competitive when it comes to commercial construction as well. The District has recently retired debt and has worked to lower the tax impact compared to previous referendums. The District also followed the direction of a community survey that showed support for the District to seek another referendum.

Market and Johnson and Wold Architects started the referendum process by meeting with a Community Task Force. This Community Task Force went through the building and discussed the needs of the district. The information gathered from the Community Task Force was then used to help School Perceptions create a community survey. School Perceptions is a private company that specializes in running community-wide surveys to give the Board of Education accurate and up to date information from the constituents of the district. A summary of the survey results is below.

What is the Scope?

The Board of Education has created a referendum focused on educational needs while keeping the tax impact at a minimum. Some initial areas previously included have been cut based on their direct impact on our students' education. For instance, parking lot improvements and re-keying the building were eliminated. Even though both need improvements, they do not directly impact the students as much as updating classroom spaces.

Updating educational spaces is a significant piece of the referendum. Installing new flooring, casework, and furniture will modernize each classroom and maximize usability well into the future. Other improvements include updates to the science rooms, family and consumer education room (home-ec), greenhouse, and technology education spaces (shops). Furthermore, the plan includes updating the small gym by replacing the flooring and updating the stage area with a new curtain, flooring, and electrical. The District has been selected for a $2.2 million dollar FEMA grant to create a storm shelter. The referendum includes the District's share of this addition, and the storm shelter will double as an educational and multi-use/gym space.

Another referendum focus is infrastructure needs. Additional repairs include tuckpointing to replace the aging brick facade, sidewalk repairs, remodeling bathrooms and locker rooms to meet ADA requirements, and replacing the gymnasium doors with locking mechanisms to add security.

Tax Impact?

Since 2005, the average mill rate for the Luck School District has been 9.29. In the 2020-2021 school year, with the recent retirement of debt, the District's mill rate fell to a low of 7.49. If the referendum passes, the projected mill rate would be 8.50, and this would put the tax impact at the lowest it has been, outside of last year, since the 2007-2008 school year.

Yes, you will see an increase over your last tax bill. This increase will be approximately $101 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Compared to 2019-2020, this is approximately a decrease of $44 per $100,000 of assessed property value. In other words, the predicted mill rate will be $79 per $100,000 assessed value lower than the average since 2005.

The board of education was adamant that the tax impact be kept to a minimum.

What’s different about this referendum from the past ones?

The main difference is the overall price. The past two referendums were $9.5 million and $9.85 million respectively. This referendum is at $6.98 million. The scope of projects was scrutinized to get us to a price point that allows us to accomplish the improvements needed in the district and eliminating non-educational items that are lower priorities. A big factor in being able to lower the price is the FEMA grant covering $2.2 million of the improvements. By having the lower amount, the tax impact puts the district at a lower rate than in 2019.

The district has brought on new consultants for this referendum. Market and Johnson have taken the lead in the process with years of local experience in referendum construction. Wold Architects, who were involved in the past, have taken a more active role in the planning process of this project as well. Market and Johnson and Wold let a community task force garner feedback on how to proceed. The district also utilized School Perceptions to conduct a community-wide survey to garner feedback and to see if the district should even go back to referendum. The results of this survey were crucial in planning the upcoming referendum.

What is the FEMA Grant?

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant provides federal funding toward projects that reduce the risk to individuals and property from natural disasters and reduces the reliance of communities on federal funding from future disasters. The program is designed to help communities prepare for disasters before they happen.

To offset the cost of constructing a new multipurpose educational space/gym, the Luck School District explored outside funding sources. The idea of writing a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant came from another Wisconsin school district. By agreeing to have the facility used as an emergency shelter in times of need, we can cut the project's cost to the local taxpayer by $2.2 million.

What question will be on the ballot?

Shall the School District of Luck, Polk County, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,980,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of educational renovations and construction of an addition for a multipurpose educational space/gymnasium at the district building; site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures, and equipment?

REFERENDUM FACT SHEET

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