Survey shows support for $99.7m Menasha schools referendum

MENASHA (WLUK) - A community survey showed support for a proposed $99.7 million referendum in the Menasha Joint School District, according to the superintendent.

The district is considering a fall vote, primarily including a replacement of Maplewood Middle School.

This plan calls for two new schools to be built at the Maplewood site, one for grades 5-6, another for grades 7-8. They would be separate schools but with some common, shared facilities. Then, the existing building would be torn down.

Work at the high school was completed in 2015, and those bonds will be paid off early, allowing the district to borrow for this project without that increasing the tax levy, Supt. Chris VanderHeyden said.

Among the survey findings:

• 1,245 total survey respondents
  
• 64% of respondents do not currently have a child or children attending MJSD Schools
  
• 66% of non-parent respondents indicated willingness to support the $99.7 million proposed plan to rebuild Maplewood Middle School if it would not increase the current tax mill rate
• 75% of parent respondents indicated willingness to support the $99.7 million proposed plan to rebuild Maplewood Middle School if it would not increase the current tax mill rate

A November vote could be scheduled at an August school board meeting.

After the middle school phase of the facility planning project, the district will look at elementary school needs.