NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) – A $129,580,000 school referendum in Neenah came down to a difference of fewer than five hundred votes.
In the end, those voting against the referendum came out on top with 6,653 registered votes, while those voting for the referendum trailed just behind with 6,156 votes.
A majority of the proposed funds, around $84 million, would have gone to replacing Shattuck Middle School, which was originally constructed in 1928.
“Shattuck Middle School is an aging building that needs a lot of work and we’re going to have to put some money into it or something,” explains Jim Strick, Communication manager with Neenah Joint School District. “And I’m certain we’ll have another referendum on the ballot next April.”
Other projects in the proposal included infrastructure upgrades, a renovated high school technical education wing, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades throughout the district.
The divisive issue brought voters in Winnebago County, and specifically the Neenah-area, out in particularly high numbers for a spring election.
That includes the individuals that ended up casting a ballot for the losing side.
“We have aging buildings that I think a lot of our parents and staff members know need to be replaced or upgraded badly,” explains Strick. “So there was a lot of passion on that side too.”
He adds that the end result is especially disappointing for the individuals that use the school’s facilities daily.
“I can tell you this will be frustrating for them,” he says. “A little bit disheartening not to have that community support, because I know our staff was very much behind this.”
For the residents that voted against the movement, a major sticking point was the dollar figure and specifically what it was being used for.
“I think if they renovated Shattuck, instead of leveling it, I don’t think there would be any yard signs out,” explains Neenah resident Joe Nemecek. “Because there would be so much overwhelming community support that it would pass overwhelmingly.”
Strick agrees that, for some, the dollar figure attached to the proposal was simply too much to handle.
“It’s a huge figure, $129-million-dollars is by far the biggest referendum ever proposed in the Fox Valley,” he says. “It was the price tag, [because] there hasn’t been a school referendum of this size in this area ever.”
Strick says the school district will meet in the near future to discuss the result and their plans moving forward.
