La Crosse School District has put a $200 million referendum on the November ballot. | Facebook
La Crosse School District has put a $200 million referendum on the November ballot. | Facebook
The La Crosse School District is facing growing resistance to its proposed referendum of nearly $200 million from a group of north side business leaders, parents and students.
With the referendum pegged for the Nov. 8 election, the vote would determine if a new, consolidated high school will be built at the Trane Technologies site on Pammel Creek Road.
According to WXOW, residents, parents and business representatives in the area have all expressed reservations about elements of the plan.
“There is no perfect solution,” Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel said. “This option though, that was proposed for the referendum, does allow us to meet our challenges as we move into the future. Declining enrollment, budget deficits that are projected, no new state funding. Along with that, it also allows us to invest in our kids for the future and provide new opportunities through career and technical education labs, modern education for our middle school students as well as much better facilities."
Among the issues raised by those opposed to the plan is the proposed location of the school, with critics arguing its distance away from everything else and residential neighborhoods could create barriers for students and families alike who may face problems commuting to the site. They say this distance is bound to hurt attendance for extra-curricular activities and events.
Through it all, school district officials remain resolute in their position that a new consolidated high school is the best way to deal with their six school buildings that are now over 80 years old.
As part of its community outreach, WEAU reports the school district is offering multiple informative meetings about the referendum up until the election. The next meeting is set for Wednesday at Longfellow Middle School.
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