Tuesday, October 1, 2024
CRIVITZ – The Crivitz School Board welcomed Sarah Roman as its newest member at its Sept. 18 meeting, where it also discussed a Nov. 5 referendum, including $23 million for elementary school renovations and $6 million for career and technical education in the middle/high school.
Roman replaces Mike Frievalt in a partial-term seat until the 2025 spring school board election, when she could run for a one-year term to complete the vacancy timeline, according to minutes from an Aug. 26, special meeting.
Two other candidates – A.J. Bevier and Cory Sotka – also applied for the position. The board interviewed the three candidates separately then ranked them to determine which one should be appointed to fill the vacancy. The board voted unanimously to appoint Roman to the board.
She joins the board as it is publicizing a referendum to raise the funds for capital improvements. Posterboards in the office doorway and handouts will be available with information about how the school district use the funds. Community information sessions to learn more about the referendum are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 in the elementary school cafeteria.
A district website – www.Crivitz.k12.wi.us/referendum – also offers information, including a visual layout of the renovations by Bray Architects. The board discussed whether to use Bray for the general contractor if the referendum passes or ask for bids for a construction manager position, but it didn’t act on this discussion.
Voters will be asked to approve general obligation bonds of up to $29 million to be used for renovations at both the elementary school and the middle/high school. If the referendum is approved and the board elects to use the full amount, the mill rate would be $1.33 per $1,000 in equalized property value, or $133 per year in new taxes for a property with an equalized value of $100,000.
The board said the much-needed funds would pay for a new roof for the elementary school and renovations, such as a more secure entrance and office area, a new 4-year-old kindergarten classroom, Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible bathrooms and library. The funds also would provide for a career tech education addition to the middle/high school to provide areas for woods and metal work and other hands-on learning activities. The middle/high school also would receive new furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
Focus groups and surveys indicate the community is supportive of the $29 million referendum for elementary school capital improvements and career-technical education and other hands-on activities in the middle/high school, according to information from a May 15 Community Survey Report posted on the district’s referendum website.
To keep the financial request to a minimum on the referendum, the school board decided not to include specific requests for $12 million to expand the gym, locker room and fitness areas and $6 million to move 6th grade to the middle/high school to provide more child care.
Over half of the public school districts in Wisconsin are asking voters to approve referendums Nov. 5 to raise more funds, as public dollars from per-pupil state allocations and property taxes are falling short of the districts’ needs, according to Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit in Madison. The problem stems in part from declining student enrollment in many districts and inflationary costs.
Crivitz schools are growing in some age groups. The school board approved a new 4K paraprofessional position for 28 hours a week, including four days of classroom time because of strong enrollment. The school district offers a four-day kindergarten class for 4-year-olds that many parents prefer. as it takes the place of day care for many families. In the past, the school district lost some students to other districts offering more 4K hours. This year, Crivitz is gaining students in open enrollment, according to information presented at the board meeting.
With more 4-year-olds enrolled, the school district initially hired a substitute paraprofessional and created some new makeshift space for the youngsters. With the board approving the new 28-hour position, the school can hire a paraprofessional who will stay with the class. The referendum would provide for a renovated 4K classroom and much-needed accessible bathroom along with other improvements.
The Fall Craft Show is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the high school.
The cheer team will travel to Brookfield for a competition Oct. 18 and 19 with funds approved by the board.
The board discussed opportunities for using a natural prairie area behind the elementary school but declined to act on it. Board member Kim Hanson suggested using the area for gardening to teach the children to learn about growing, as grants might be available for this purpose. Others suggested leaving it as is – at least for the time being.
Buildings and Grounds and Transportation Director Tom White said new boilers have been shipped but haven’t arrived. The gym floors were refinished prior to school opening, and new covers were installed for volleyball receptacles.
Matt Robinson will serve as varsity assistant coach football. Matt is Superintendent Kelly Robinson’s husband.
Three high school students taking part in a teaching apprenticeship program will be paid to observe and support Crivitz Elementary School teachers for 450 hours this school year. The program aims to develop educators who might teach in the district after receiving their college education. The board approved Kyra Beier, Katelyn Reyment and Jasmine Martin as recommended for the youth apprenticeship program.
