Community can tour River View Middle School ahead of November referendum

KAUKAUNA — Funding for a new Kaukauna Middle School is on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot, and school district voters will have a chance Monday to tour the current facility.

The Kaukauna Area School District Board of Education will hold its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, but the meeting will be a River View Middle School.

Residents will have a chance to tour the school after the meeting and talk to school officials about plans to be included in the referendum.

The referendum seeks voter approval for a $198 million long-range facilities plan designed to address critical needs across the district.

If approved, this plan will enable the district to:

• Build a new, innovative middle school to replace River View, which the district says no longer adequately meets the needs of students.

• Expand access to 4K and 5K programs at Victor Haen Elementary School, providing more opportunities for the youngest learners.

• Renovate key areas at Park Community Charter School, including the main office and library, to better serve students and staff.

• Enhance safety and security across all district schools and address high-priority maintenance needs.

The proposed new middle school, to be built on district-owned land adjacent to Kaukauna High School, will be intentionally designed to support the unique needs of 5th-8th grade students, with modern spaces that foster effective teaching and learning, according to information provided by the district.

The facilities plan reflects the priorities and feedback the district received from the community during numerous listening sessions and through a district-wide survey. From the community feedback, the district heard that it’s time to consider a new middle school rather than continuing to invest in the 100-year-old River View building.

To be mindful of the community’s resources, the board has carefully refined the original proposal, reducing the overall project cost by 10% (more than $20 million) and reducing the tax impact by 23%. This was achieved by prioritizing the most pressing needs and eliminating some components, such as the proposed birth to school-age childcare centers and a new gym at Tanner Elementary School. As a result, the estimated annual property tax impact is $0.73 per $1,000 of equalized property value above the current rate, which would continue to keep KASD’s tax rate below the state average.

In the coming weeks leading up to the November referendum, there will be multiple opportunities for voters to learn more about the proposed facilities plan. These include direct mailings, informational meetings, school tours, and detailed information available on the district’s website: https://www.kaukauna.k12.wi.us/district/facilities-planning.