As many readers may know, the School District of Monroe recently sent a survey to all district residents and boxholders asking for feedback on facilities plans the district is considering. The survey is designed to give a brief description of the projects that leadership and the board feels would be best for the future of the district. At the same time, we are aware of the substantial price tag associated with these options and we need to know if these options can be pursued further or if we have to regroup and look at smaller and less comprehensive options.

The schools in our district are aging. The newest building was built in the mid-1980s and the largest buildings were built in the 1930s and 1950s. While we have remodeled some of the buildings and some of the buildings remain in good shape, Monroe High School and Abraham Lincoln Elementary have numerous issues and the district needs to decide whether to invest substantial money in addressing these issues or whether other options should be considered.

At Monroe High School, a brief list of the issues includes, but is not limited to:

●  Poor construction of the original foundation is causing walls in many classrooms and the West Science Wing to sag and crack.

●  Electrical wiring is not up to code and poses an ongoing safety hazard; additional outlets are needed throughout the building.

●  The building has significant Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliance/accessibility issues.

●  The cafeteria is undersized and inefficient for serving the current student population.

●  Water infiltration is causing mold and impacting the air quality.

●  The building lacks flexible areas for small- and large-group instruction and student collaboration.

●  The technical education and family and consumer education areas lack the space and equipment to support the future curriculum and better prepare our students for careers in our region.

●  The building lacks a secure entrance to control visitor access properly.

At Abraham Lincoln, a brief list of the issues includes, but is not limited to:

●  A main/secure entrance is needed to better monitor and control visitor access.

●  Many major building systems, including the plumbing, heating/ventilation, and electrical systems, have exceeded their service life and need to be replaced. 

●  Portions of the building’s exterior, including windows and doors, need replacement. 

●  Due to their age, classroom floors, lighting, ceilings, and cabinetry need replacement.

●  Air supply to classrooms does not meet current building code requirements, and the building is poorly insulated.

●  The gym floor is delaminating and needs to be replaced.

●  The school requires updates to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code compliance.

●  Many classrooms are small and lack the flexibility for small group instruction and student collaboration.

The community survey includes two options, but also mentions the possibility of a third option if a new high school on a new site were to be considered at some point. Option 1 would include a combination of new construction and remodeling the existing high school to create a 7-12 campus, making slight changes to the middle school to convert it to a grade 4 to 6 intermediate school, operating Parkside and Northside Elementary Schools as PK-3 buildings, and closing Abraham Lincoln Elementary. This would offer operational savings by operating one less elementary school and would cost an estimated $86 million, with a tax impact of $2.28 per thousand dollars of valuation.

Option 2 would include keeping configurations as they are, completing a combination of new and remodeled construction at the high school (grades 9-12), and it would also include about $4 million in upgrades at Abraham Lincoln Elementary. The estimated cost of this plan is about $81 million and the tax impact would be less but still likely be over $2 per thousand dollars of valuation. 

In both plans, improvements that would be made at Northside Elementary would be handled out of the long-term maintenance budget because that building is in good shape and the work that needs to be done there could be accomplished in numerous phases.

There certainly are other options. If the survey suggests that we should consider a new high school on a new site, that can be explored. If the survey indicates none of these plans could be approved by the community, the board will have the challenging task of deciding what other plans need to be considered. 

We have received feedback from community members that want to know specific educational outcomes, the effect the plans will have on staff, and what security improvements would come with these upgrades. These are all great questions, and people want specific answers, however, these questions are difficult to answer until the district has an idea of what direction we need to go in ...That is why we need to hear from you.

In the end, the only improvements that will be made to the buildings are what the electorate will support. We know we have significant facility and safety needs, but we also know the impact taxes have on families, home values and the local economy. That is why the proposed projects are so complex. I appreciate those that have taken the time to read this column, and I appreciate the support we have received from the community over the years. While our buildings do not last forever, the impact of a strong school district does last longer than any brick and mortar does.

Have a great finish to the winter, and Go Cheesemakers!

— Rick Waski is the district administrator for the School District of Monroe. He can be reached at 608-328-7109 or rickwaski@monroe.k12.wi.us.