Kewaunee County Star News

Main Menu

  • Classifieds
    • Place Ads
    • View Ads
  • Electronic Edition
  • Obituaries
  • Contact US

logo
Serving Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg and all of Kewaunee County

Kewaunee County Star News

  • Classifieds
    • Place Ads
    • View Ads
  • Electronic Edition
  • Obituaries
  • Contact US
Kewaunee County
Home›Kewaunee County›Algoma referendum seeks to improve elementary school/theater facilities

Algoma referendum seeks to improve elementary school/theater facilities

By
March 30, 2016
85
0
Share:

Funds from the referendum would be used to upgrade the current band room, which is overcrowded and outdated.   Left to right, Dave Robertson, vocal music director,, Jennifer Massey, band director, and Superintendent. Nick Cochart.

Algoma Superintendent. Nick Cochart stands in front of sign for the elementary school's current entrance, which will be redesigned for better access and security.   A new canopied entrance for the theater/performing arts center will be located on Fremont St. and separated from the rest of the school.

With a growing enrollment and an increased role in the community, the Algoma School District is moving forward with a $4.86 million referendum on the April 5 ballot asking voters to approve funds to upgrade its elementary school and other school facilities.

“We want to improve the experience for our students,” says Superintendent. Nick Cochart.

The referendum would allow the school district to authorize bonds to pay for renovations, improvements and additions to the elementary school, rest room renovations at the high school, and parking lot improvements at all buildings, as well as equipment needed for the projects.

The  school district’s enrollment has increased by more than 150 students in the last five years, and the Algoma School District is one of only about a dozen school districts in the state that is reporting increased enrollment, Cochart said.  The current enrollment is 757, he said.

“Increasing enrollment is the driving force behind all of our improvements,” Cochart said.

The referendum will provide new elementary and preschool classrooms, a new updated library and an expanded music and band room at the elementary school.   It will also upgrade the theater support facilities that are used by all grade levels and provide new entrances and increased security at the elementary school.

He said the school district has not placed a referendum on the ballot to improve its schools’ facilities since 1997. The bonds issued in 1997 end this year, which allows the school district to reissue debt without impacting the local taxpayer, according to Cochart.

He said that if the Algoma school referendum passes, school district taxpayers will still see a decrease in school district taxes of $0.20 per $1,000 of property value.   A typical $100,000 home can expect to save $20, Cochart said..

In 2015, the school district opened its new Wellness Center, which was paid for through private donations and the school district’s general fund.

“In the era of referendums, we have been very good stewards of our buildings,” he said.

Algoma’s elementary school, however, has aging mechanical systems that have not been upgraded since the 1930s when the building was constructed, Cochart said.   The referendum will allow the school district to replace the aging steam boiler and heating system with a hot water system, that will result in large savings in terms of efficiency and cost, Cochart said.

The referendum funds would also support a 16,000-square-foot addition to the elementary school that will include a 4,000-square-foot library and several classroom/childcare areas that will allow the early childhood through sixth grade school to add additional programming.

The school district’s strong band and music programs will be enhanced with an expansion of the existing 40-by-40 foot band room, which is currently used by more than 100 students on a school day, according to Jennifer Massey, band director.   The existing room has old peeling tiles, missing hardware and is too small to accommodate the growth in band programs,  Massey said.

In addition, the backstage of the school’s theater, which was built in the 1930s and has significant historical features, will be expanded to provide more space for props and dressing rooms.

The theater is also increasingly used for community performances under the name of the Algoma Performing Arts Center.   A separate canopied entrance to the theater will be created on Fremont Street to allow for community access and secure it from the elementary school during school hours.

If the referendum fails, the school district would be required to reduce staff and cut extracurricular activities and building maintenance, according to Cochart.  Because the school district’s debt payment would fall off, the school district would lose state funding associated with its current budget, increasing the district’s cost to educate its 750-plus students, Cochart said.

If the referendum is approved, the school district will be prepared to start construction immediately with the goal of having the project completed by September, Cochart said.

“It will be a tremendous amount of work to get it completed over the summer, but it will be something that the community can be proud of,” he said.

The alley way north of the elementary school will become new classrooms and a larger library for preschool and elementary school students if the April 5 referendum is approved.

Jennifer Massey, band director, and Supt. Nick Cochart examine deteriorating flooring in the band room.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Algoma referendum seeks to improve elementary school/theater facilities

Previous Article

Ahnapee man charged after bomb squad search

Next Article

Softball: Schiltz, Spartans dominate opener

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Kewaunee County

    Kewaunee County Star-News to get new owner

    March 22, 2023
    By
  • AlgomaKewaunee CountyLuxemburgRoad construction and improvementTown of CascoWIWisconsin Department of Transportation

    State 54 will close in Kewaunee County for three weeks this summer

    March 15, 2023
    By
  • Business & IndustrialKewaunee County

    Bank of Luxemburg receives state of Wisconsin grant for worker training

    March 7, 2023
    By
  • Door CountyFoodKewaunee County

    Door County cheese is second-best in country, Kewaunee County cheese maker wins four classes

    February 24, 2023
    By
  • Craft BeersKewaunee County

    Craft beer, wine and food help local Lions Clubs at Kewaunee County brewfest

    February 23, 2023
    By
  • KewauneeKewaunee CountyRestaurantsWI

    Soup fundraiser for Kewaunee zoo returns after a three-year absence

    February 16, 2023
    By

Leave a reply Cancel reply

  • Kewaunee County

    Kewaunee County Star-News to get new owner

  • AlgomaBeachesLuxemburg-Casco School District

    Kewaunee County, Door County organizations receive grants from Green Bay foundation

  • KewauneeLibrariesNew BusinessesWI

    Book store to support the Kewaunee library reopens in new location

  • News

  • Sports

  • Green Bay

  • School store

    New student-led initiative takes off, results in enhanced learning

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 6, 2023
  • The 2023 Build the Future Foundation Wall of Fame banquet honored Colonel Charles B. Meyer, Ron Pelnar and Joe Kassner. Pictured from left are: Jeff Vollenweider and Norman Paplham, who accepted on behalf of Meyer; Pelnar; and Kassner. Submitted photo

    Nominations sought for Kewaunee Wall of Fame

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 5, 2023
  • Titletown sign

    The NFL Draft: Rolling out the red carpet

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 4, 2023
  • Nora Krause looks for a passing lane as she brings the ball up court on Monday, Nov. 27 against Mishicot. Josh Staloch photo

    Wolves finding their way, defeat Blazers

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 2, 2023
  • WisDOT logo

    WIS 54 construction completed

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 1, 2023
  • Kewaunee's Jade Kroll puts pressure on a Mishicot ball handler during the Storm's win last Friday. Josh Staloch photo

    Kewaunee girls down Indians

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 9, 2023
  • Avery Jerabek drives towards the basket with Luxemburg-Casco's Reagan Doell closing in Tuesday in Kewaunee. Josh Staloch photo

    Storm survive Spartans

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 8, 2023
  • L-C's Josh Parins drives baseline against a pair of Marinette defenders on Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the Spartans' season opener. Josh Staloch photo

    L-C opens with big win

    By Kris Leonhardt
    December 3, 2023
  • The L-C boys are working extra hard in early practice sessions as they look to improve on an overall record of 8-16 last season. Josh Staloch photos

    Luxemburg looking for improvement

    By Kris Leonhardt
    November 28, 2023
  • Basketball player

    New coach, same goal for Storm

    By Kris Leonhardt
    November 27, 2023
  • Keynote speaker

    Power of place: Embracing lifestyle savings

    By Kris Leonhardt
    June 26, 2023
  • New North Summit: The power of place

    By Kris Leonhardt
    June 18, 2023
  • Kewaunee County shop hop hopes to draw visitors from across the Midwest

    By
    June 2, 2021
  • Scott bar badly damaged in Tuesday fire

    By
    May 3, 2017
Copyright © 2023 Multi Media Channels LLC.