Crivitz voters OK school referendum

CRIVITZ – Voters in Crivitz School District approved a $29 million bond referendum by a wide margin Nov. 5, allowing the school district to proceed with its plans to renovate the elementary and middle/high schools.

The mill rate is expected to rise by $1.33 per $1,000 in equalized property value, generating $133 in new taxes for a property with an equalized value of $100,000, the school district said. About 2,482 voters cast ballots for the referendum, while 1,741 voted against it, according to information on the Marinette County website. In Oconto County, where a portion of the community attends Crivitz schools, the referendum passed nine votes to four.

“The communities’ support of the referendum shows they know our kids deserve an upgraded better learning environment,” Crivitz Schools Superintendent Kelly Robinson said. “I’m very excited to see our community support our efforts to provide better learning spaces for our students,” she added.

Robinson said the bond funds provided by the referendum’s approval will make it possible to use the elementary school space more efficiently. “It also gives us the resources to upgrade the plumbing, electrical, heating and safety systems in the building that is 50 to 100 years old. I am excited and eager for the next steps in the process now that the voters supported the referendum,” she said.

The school district said the funds would be used for a new roof for the elementary school and renovations, such as a more secure entrance and office area, a new four-year-old kindergarten classroom, Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible bathrooms and library.

“We will make the building more accessible for people with disabilities. We currently don’t have accessible bathrooms in that building. There are parts of the building that do not have wheelchair access also,” Robinson said.

The funds also are slated to be used for a career-technical education addition to the middle/high school to provide areas for wood and metal work and other hands-on learning activities. The middle/high school also is expected to purchase new furnishings, fixtures and equipment with the funds.

“At the middle/high school, the addition of more technical education space will provide more career-preparation space and experience for our students. We will have space for more students to take welding and automotive classes. We will also be able to add space to other manufacturing type classes,” Robinson said.

Robinson said the funds will help the district make improvements to prepare students for the workforce. “Our district has been educating our students and producing impressive results through their ACT test scores, college credits while in high school and youth apprenticeship participation. With the resources provided by the community through the referendum, we will be able to provide even more for our students. Providing a solid workforce strengthens our community. I’m glad our voters realized that.”