Janet, a Town of Brookfield resident, has lived in the Elmbrook area for nearly 40 years and is an avid gardener and volunteer. Her blog focuses on the city and town of Brookfield – past, present and future.
The Elmbrook School District (SDE) has nine weeks to convince voters in its district to back a $99.3 million dollar referendum. The nearly $100 million will be used to renovate and expand two high schools. The district is also requesting approval of field houses for each school, for an additional $9.5 million.
In the last few months over forty “focus groups” have been held with area residents, with apparently favorable results. Building tours are being sponsored to demonstrate the buildings’ shortcomings. Residents are being told the buildings do not meet current ADA requirements and that new facilities are needed for the school district to “remain competitive.”
The rhetoric continues. The current schools are nearly a half-century old. But the proposed building additions and renovations for the schools should last fifty years.
It makes someone wonder how other communities deal with aging buildings. So I contacted Wauwatosa School District. Wauwatosa East was built about 1930. Wauwatosa West was built in 1970. Its forerunner, now a middle school, was built in 1960. All buildings are still in service.
The Wauwatosa School District has modified the interior and exterior building entrances. Elevators and chair lifts have been installed where needed. In some instances programs (classes) have been moved to more accessible spots. The school district works closely with parents of students with disabilities.
Most construction projects (additions or renovations) have cost overruns. Because our school district built two elementary schools in 2000, I contacted it about the budgeted versus actual costs of Dixon and Brookfield Elementary schools. These schools came in “on budget” -- $10 million each. During Dixon’s construction, there were many problems with soil conditions at the site and delays. The fact that it came in “on budget” is surprising.
Cost overruns are usually higher for renovations than new construction. The rule of thumb for renovations is up to 8% more. Let’s hope the school district has “cushioned” the price for the high schools.
If the $99.3 million referendum is approved, school district taxes (for owners of an average $339,000 home) will increase about $312 a year for 20 years. If the $9.5 million field houses are approved, taxes will increase about $30 a year for 20 years.
Remember. Those anticipated property tax increases are for only the new facilities, not education. School district taxes are only one component of the total property tax bill.
