Viroqua Area Schools Referendum Focuses on Growth
Last school year we began talking with the School Board about developing a new long-range strategic plan for the District. One of the most pressing concerns that we discussed is the lack of adequate space to provide the students with the environment that they need for a great education. We all want students to be successful. We want our children to graduate prepared for any variety of careers and for any post-secondary education and training that they choose. You may have heard this already; Vernon County was the fastest growing county in WI last year. We will continue to grow at a rapid rate, remaining one of the fastest growing counties through the year 2050. Over the last five years, while many districts are suffering with declining enrollments, Viroqua is growing.
Since the beginning of this year, we have partnered with Unesco for the planning process. Through staff surveys, building analysis and ideation meetings, Unesco has gathered thousands of points of data to bring focus to our needs as a District. Over 200 staff and community members have participated in meetings to provide input and direction. In August, the Board of Education approved a single referendum question for the November ballot to allow VAS to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $36.82 million.
The project is focused on adding space where students need it every day: ten new classrooms, expanded PE and multi-use athletic spaces, safe and secure entrances at each of the school buildings, a new competition gym/PE classroom at the elementary school, improved elementary cafeteria space, and redesign of the Tech Ed classrooms to include fab lab and STEM space as well as the modernization of equipment, and the expansion of classroom space for Laurel High School students. There are many more repairs and improvements like changing the traffic flow to be safer at parent pick-up and drop-off, that will have a positive impact for everyone at school. District representatives will come to several town meetings to answer questions over the next two months so “people can have a good understanding” of the referendum. All we ask is that you remember to come out and vote on November 6!
Public Informational Meetings were held on:
Wednesday, October 10, 6:30 pm-HS Band Room & Friday, October 12, 9:30 am - District Office
2018 VAS Referendum - Fast Facts
Proposed Floor Plans: District Map Elementary MS/HS MS/HS Lower Level
Back in April we shared this presentation April, 2018 - Strategic Planning as an update to the information gathering process and needs assessment process. Many of the details gathered last year have become essential elements of the current plan. But as you look at the refined details of the August presentation August, 2018 Community Presentation you can see how far we have come with the help of all of those ideas and suggestions from staff and community members.
Recent News Article: September, 2018 Vernon County Broadcaster