The Wautoma Area School District held two community engagement sessions on March 1st and March 22nd to help inform voters about the elementary school referendum at the Wautoma High School Field House. During their presentation, District Administrator Tom Rheinheimer along with Riverview Elementary School Principal and incoming District Administrator Jewel Mucklin explained the process of how the district got to a referendum question on the April 4th ballot, what concerns and constraints the existing facility faces; the results of the community survey; as well as the potential location for a new elementary school and the possibilities that it could offer. Also present to answer questions were members of the Wautoma Area School Board, CG Schmidt Senior Project Manager Justin Johnson, CG Schmidt Community Engagement Leader Michelle Kartman, Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP Partner Devin Kack, Baird Managing Director Lisa Voisin, and Baird Vice President Jordan Masnica.
Questions asked at the WASD Referendum Community Engagement Sessions:
Why didn’t we look at building on Parkside’s land/expanding Parkside to be an elementary/middle school? Per a conversation with our construction and architectural firms, the space at Parkside School is not conducive to adding another school building as it would eliminate most of the current green space and continue to cause traffic flow issues as already experienced at the current Riverview site This scenario also would not reduce the size of the new construction or reduce the number of staff needed to provide services and support to the elementary school students.
What are the enrollment projections for the future as well as the trends the District sees?
The total district student enrollment has leveled off at 1,300 students over the past five years and the district projects this number will stay consistent into the near future.
What would Plan B be if this doesn’t pass and all-day 4K has to be offered due to state funding?
If the referendum does not pass and the State of Wisconsin passes funding for full-day 4 year old kindergarten, the Board of Education and the administrative team will need to strategically plan on how on how to accommodate 4 year olds all day, everyday and most likely 3 years olds part- time into a building that does not have enough space to meet this need.
What would happen to the old Riverview building if the referendum passes and the new building is constructed?
The referendum budget includes funds to raze the current elementary school and to create a green space on the current lot. The purpose of this action is to avoid an additional large empty building in the City of Wautoma.
Is the District looking at moving 4th Grade back to the elementary school or keeping Parkside as it is?
Currently, there is no plan or proposal to move 4th grade to the new elementary school. At this time 4th graders will remain at Parkside School.
Will there be sidewalks leading up to the new school to allow for walkers/bike riders?
During the planning process for new construction and grounds development, the planning team will make it a priority to ensure students can access the school building and school grounds in a safe manner. Part of this planning process will be to work with the City of Wautoma to analyze safe routes to school. Please also note, that all students in the Wautoma Area School District have access to school bus transportation to and from school.
