The Whitewater Unified School District School Board has approved a $30 million capital referendum question that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
If approved by voters, the referendum will fund a series of improvement projects across the district’s schools. This includes replacing outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; repairing roofs; upgrading electrical and plumbing systems; replacing windows; enhancing safety and security; updating the high school auditorium; updating the auditorium space; and expanding/improving the Career and Technical Education space.
“Whitewater schools are known for providing students with an exceptional learning environment that supports their growth and potential,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “While we address facility and maintenance needs where we can, some projects exceed what our operational budget can support. This is why we will be engaging with community members about the ways a capital referendum could position WUSD for continued success.”
WUSD partnered with Bray Architects to conduct a comprehensive assessment of its facilities, identifying priority areas for improvement. The full facility report is available at https://bit.ly/WUSDfacilities.
If the referendum is approved, the projected tax impact for the 2025-26 school year would be $.47 per $1,000 of estimated fair market value for a home within the district. For a home assessed at $300,000, this would result in an increase of $141 per year ($11.75 per month).
A fall survey, conducted by an independent firm and garnering 832 responses, found that 69% of WUSD parents residing in the district said they would definitely or probably support a $32 million capital referendum. Support for a referendum among respondents who are not parents or staff was at 43%. Voter approval of at least 50% is necessary for capital referendums to be approved.
The district will share more information about its facility needs and the proposed solution in the weeks ahead. This will include a webpage featuring answers to frequently asked questions.
