Clinton school district asks voters to approve new school and improvements

CLINTON, Wis. (WMTV) -- The Clinton Community School District (CCSD) is asking voters in the April 2 election to approve a nearly 42-million dollar referendum for a new 4K-6 school, renovations and repairs at the high school, and closure of the current elementary and middle schools.

District Administrator Jim Brewer told NBC15 News the elementary and middle school are outdated. "The Elementary and the middle school have served us very well in Clinton, but the facilities that we have are aging--they're inefficient. Seventy years ago, Clintonites built two buildings, and they have served us very, very well here in Clinton. It is time for us to look at upgrades, and cost isn't getting cheaper. And eventually we're going to need to do something, and there's a cost to doing nothing."

The $41.9 million referendum would authorize construction of the new 4K-6 school next to the current high school, would provide safety, security and maintenance enhancements for the current high school, as well as an expansion of its Ag & Tech Ed facility. It would also improve accessibility for those with disabilities. Money would also be allocated to close down the current elementary and middle school buildings.

Brewer said the district is currently experiencing an 11% resident enrollment reduction, and it's more efficient to consolidate operations, converting from three school buildings down to two. Seventh and eighth graders would be moved to the high school building, under the proposal.

He said, "By converting from three buildings down to two, we can create some operational efficiencies on top of the mechanical efficiencies that we would see by building a new structure."

The district said property owners will pay $22.42 a month per $100,000 of property value, if the referendum on the ballot is approved April 2. That's $269 per year in additional taxes for a $100,000 home.