By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
More than two-thirds of all residents living within the Whitewater Unified School District’s boundaries backed a referendum asking for $23.5 million toward a series of renovation projects.
According to unofficial election results, 6,209 district residents voted “yes” when asked if the district can exceed its spending authority under state statutes, while 2,540 residents voted “no” to the question.
Ron Binning is with the grassroots group Whitewater YES, which had a pivotal role in spreading information about the referendum with the greater community.
Reached by phone the morning after the election, Binning said he was elated with the results and credited organizers and district staffers for providing thorough communication in recent months.
Binning said the components of the referendum also were understandable and easy to digest.
“When you look at the details of the referendum, it wasn’t an out-of-sight number, especially when you see what it’s going to do for our schools,” Binning said.
At its core, the additional referendum dollars — which, under state statutes, can only be used toward the intended purpose — will go toward a number of infrastructure changes, most notably improvements to the schools’ overall instructional spaces. That line item totals $13.5 million
The referendum spending package also includes provisions for beefing up safety and security improvements at all schools ($4.3 million), adding money toward the district’s capital maintenance program ($3.9 million) and upgrades to comply with standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act ($1.8 million).
Binning said he believes the district presented voters with a sensible plan that took advantage of a number of factors, including historically low interest rates.
“The farmers say now is the time to make hay,” Binning said, drawing an analogy to the low interest rates. “They’re never going to be lower.”
Whitewater administrators — including Mark Elworthy, district administrator, and Nathan Jaeger, director of business services — visited upward of 30 municipalities and civic groups in recent weeks to share information on the referendum. Organizers from Whitewater YES and other groups also provided presentations.
Binning noted the Whitewater community has historically been a supporter of its school system. This is the fourth consecutive referendum to pass.
Although WUSD is frequently associated with the City of Whitewater, the district’s boundaries extend far beyond the municipal boundaries. WUSD also serves students in all or portions of eight neighboring townships, including Cold Spring, Johnstown, Koshkonong, La Grange, Lima, Richmond, Sugar Creek and Whitewater.
In the city of Whitewater itself, 4,547 residents voted “yes” to the referendum question, while 1,240 residents voted “no,” based on the uncertified results.
Collectively, in the townships, 1,662 residents voted “yes,” and 1,300 residents voted “no.”
