The Wautom
a Area School District and Board of Education held the first of three Community Information Sessions at Wautoma High School on September 18. WASD Board President Nicole Lehr, District Administrator Jewel Mucklin, Chief Financial Officer Carmen O’Brien, and Lead Maintenance Director Andy DeKeyser presented the information while representatives from Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP and Construction Manager Findorff were also available for questions.
During the information session, attendees learned more about the upcoming referendum, including what's on the ballot, project details about how the proposed plan impacts every building and every child, and the tax impact for the $39.8 million referendum. The presentation specifically provided information about the proposal to close Riverview Elementary and restore the property to greenspace; addressing necessary district-wide capital maintenance; constructing secure entries at Redgranite Elementary, Parkside School and Wautoma High School; converting Parkside into an Early Childhood through 5th grade elementary school; and adding a 6-8th grade addition to Wautoma High School.
At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees were invited to ask general questions, as well as meet with experts at tables who could best answer questions about School Closure and Grade Reconfiguration, Capital Maintenance, Safety + Security Improvements, and Financial Impacts + Budgets. An optional tour was also given to those who were interested to see what the high school has to offer and what middle school students could gain from attending a 6-12th grade building.
The next information session about the Wautoma Area School District November 2024 Facilities Referendum will be held on Wednesday, October 2, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.at Parkside School. Those interested in learning more about the project can visit https://www.wautomasd.org/page/wasd-referendum.