Here's what Cudahy voters need to know about two school referendum questions on the November ballot

Cudahy School District voters will have two referendum questions to decide on in November.

School Board members agreed July 29 to place two questions on the ballot. One will ask voters to allow the district to borrow $12 million for facilities maintenance and repairs. The second will ask voters to allow the district to collect an additional $10.4 million total over two years for educational programming and staff, according to a district news release.

Here's what to know about the referendums.

What school district projects would the facilities referendum fund?

The facilities referendum would fund critical maintenance needs at all district schools, according to a district document:

Cudahy High School: $4.3 million

• roofing

• replacement and repairs of exterior entrances

• installation of electric winches on the basketball hoops in Auxiliary Gym H

• pool window and structural concrete repairs

Cudahy High School football stadium repairs: $261,412

• repairs to press box building and sheds

• pavement repairs to the entrance

• repairs to the track to address safety issues

General Mitchell Elementary School: $2.68 million

• new secure entrance and lobby

• parking lot and playground paving repairs; parking lot expansion and reorganization

• replacement of an air conditioning chiller plant

• repair of damaged precast wall panels

Lincoln Elementary School: Nearly $2 million

• replace rotting metal clad wood windows

• establish a secure entrance lobby and reception

• replace an emergency generator

• replace damaged exterior concrete sidewalks and stairs

• replace water heaters

• correct hot water supply piping for second floor

• repair damaged main entrance exterior column wraps

Cudahy Middle School: $1.18 million

• renovations to establish a secure entrance vestibule and lobby

• pavement repairs

• install basketball goal safety straps and winches

Kozciusko Elementary School: $907,391

• replace rooftop HVAC; gym roof repairs

• repair playground asphalt play surface

• install basketball hoop safety straps and electric winches

J.E. Jones Elementary School: $342,024

• install an elevator

• install a new small kitchen exhaust to replace an existing exhaust that was not properly sized for correct airflow

In its news release, the district said five of its school buildings are over 50 years old and their building systems, such as roofing, heating, plumbing and electrical, are nearing or are past their service lives. Declining enrollment over the last 10 years has also created excess capacity in the buildings.

Earlier this year, the district asked residents in a community survey whether they would support a $39 million facilities referendum. However, responses were split on whether to approve. Due to those responses, the amount to be sought through the facilities referendum was reduced to focus on the most critical needs.

"Critical needs were defined as those maintenance and repairs related to safety, security, and cost savings, and those that are needed in the next two to three years," the release said.

The board also considered closing one or two schools to reduce operating expenses. However, Cudahy superintendent Michelle Garven recommended conducting a more detailed analysis on potential closings before making a final decision. Closing or repurposing a school would not take place until the 2026-27 school year at the earliest, the district said in its release.

What would the operational referendum fund?

If approved, the operational referendum would provide an additional $5.2 million per year for two years, totaling $10.4 million, to help support education programming and staff. The additional funding would start in the 2025-26 school year and end in the 2026-27 school year.

The district said it is "facing a funding shortfall due to declining enrollment, increasing costs and lower state aid revenue."

"District officials have already taken measures to address the shortfall by reducing expenses, delaying maintenance and taking money out of the District’s fund balance," the release said.

What is the estimated tax impact of both referendum questions?

If voters approve both referendums, the estimated tax impact would be $2.01 per $1,000 of property value. The owner of a $250,000 home would pay an additional $502.50 annually in school taxes. The district's 2023-24 tax rate was $6.74 per $1,000 of property value.

When was the Cudahy School District's last referendum?

District voters last decided on a referendum in April 2020. That year, voters approved an $11.75 million operational referendum. The referendum allowed the district to receive the additional funds over five years: $2.15 million in the 2020-21 school year and $2.4 million each year from the 2021-22 school year to the 2024-25 school year. The funds covered budget shortfalls, facility maintenance and an increase to district reserves.

In 2016, district voters approved a $7.9 million facilities referendum that funded capital improvements to school buildings and grounds.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cudahy voters face November referendums for schools