Darryl Enriquez

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

WAUWATOSA - The school district's $124.9 million referendum — the second largest school referendum in Wisconsin on the Nov. 6 ballot — was approved by a 3:2 margin, according to unofficial returns.

Wauwatosa School District Superintendent Phil Ertl has expressed his appreciation to voters for their support of students and education in Wauwatosa. Sixty-on percent of the 25,541 voters cast yes" ballots,

“The willingness of generations of residents to sacrifice their hard-earned dollars for the benefit of our youth is what makes Wauwatosa such a tremendous place to live," Ertl said. "We are so grateful for the community’s partnership.”

A referendum supporter, Herb Oechler, was a yes voter for the spending referendum to modernize or replace Wauwatosa School District's aging buildings.

"I believe good schools and good education are good for the city," Oechler said in an impromptu interview outside of city hall after voting. The buildings, five with original boilers, need modernizing, he said.

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David Middleton was another yes vote. He said outside of city hall, "I believe in education. We don't have a strong economy without educated people."

Significant impact

Wauwatosa's referendum was behind only the $138.9 million sought for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District as the largest amount voters were asking for in Wisconsin on the Nov. 6 ballot. Voters approved that referendum, according to local news reports.

The tax impact for Wauwatosa property owners will be $1.88 for every $1,000 of assessed value for 20 years.

Wauwatosa voters are on the path of passing one of the five largest referendums over the last decade in Wisconsin, according to state Department of Public Instruction statistics.

The largest referendum approved in that time frame was $165 million in April 2017 for the Green Bay Area School District.

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The plans

The Wauwatosa referendum calls for four new elementary buildings, with two of the structures maintaining historic architectural features. The district's other 10 aging buildings would undergo safety and security upgrades, heating-ventilating and air-conditioning improvements and installation of flexible classrooms.

Schools on average are 73 years old, and five have original boilers.

Oechler said he couldn't believe the boilers had never been replaced.

Plans called for:

McKinley Elementary, built in 1929, and Underwood Elementary, built in 1938, to be replaced with new buildings on current sites

Lincoln Elementary, built in 1919, and Wilson Elementary, built in 1924, to undergo new construction, combined with saving historic areas of the buildings

Two middle schools and six other elementary schools to enhance entrance security

HVAC systems upgraded for improved internal air quality at middle and elementary schools

For a construction timeline, visit www.wauwatosaschools.org/ref2018

This is what voters were asked:

Shall the Wauwatosa School District be allowed to issue general obligation bonds for $124.9 million to pay for a building and improvement program consisting of constructing four elementary schools on existing sites and removal of all or part of existing buildings; district-wide renovation, site improvements, safety and security upgrades, capital improvements, HVAC system, ADA and classroom updates and remodeling of technical education classrooms and lab spaces at East and West High schools?

Wauwatosa School District referendum

✔Yes: 15,494

No: 10,047