The April 1 ballot will feature two referendums, one asking to support an increase in first responder resources, the other seeking money to make improvements to Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) schools. The WUSD referendum question will be seeking $30 million, which is projected to make a tax impact of $0.47 per $1,000.
In the fall, a survey in the community found that 69% of respondents are likely to support a $32 million capital referendum.
The schools’ referendum will seek to make improvements to safety needs such as better drop off zones and doors, as well as meet other needs like improved roofing and HVAC systems.
“We’re addressing a number of safety needs,” WUSD Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty said. “There’s doors that are aging. You can imagine with school security that when the weather changes, some of our 30 year old doors are not great at keeping closed.”
She emphasized that those needs are particularly important at the middle and high schools. If the referendum is approved, the middle school would implement a safer drop off zone. The new system would separate parents and school buses dropping off kids. The current system often backs up onto the street.
The referendum also aims to address issues with HVAC systems. Pate-Hefty pointed out that it is best to revamp it before the system, which is already being “nursed,” fails and becomes a more expensive fix.
“When you look at things like HVAC doors and windows, you really want to make sure that we’re trying to be responsible with tax money,” Pate-Hefty said. “We want to replace them only when it’s critically necessary.”
In addition to these improvements, the referendum would provide upgrades to a 30-year-old sound system in the high school auditorium that is known to fail. Another goal of the referendum is to revamp the high school cafeteria so that it can seat more students. According to Pate-Hefty, some students have had to sit on the floor in hallways to eat.
Career and Technical Education instructional spaces will also be improved. This is something that Pate-Hefty is excited about as it will help students get accustomed to spaces that they may learn and work for in in the future.
The WUSD is asking for some $30 million in this referendum, which is one of two referendums looking to increase taxes.
“I think both of what we’re looking at and asking for is critical,” Pate-Hefty said.
Pate-Hefty said that the district has been very intentional in being good financial stewards. She hopes that now that WUSD is asking for financial help, voters will continue to support the community’s kids and pass the referendum.
“Our schools are really the hub where families come on the weekends, they’re coming to athletics and theater events here,” Pate-Hefty said. “So we also want our community to be proud of the buildings they walk into. As a community we are our best when we put kids first.”
