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Howard‑Suamico board endorses pre‑referendum exploration, sets community outreach timeline
Summary
The board agreed April 7 to move forward with pre‑referendum exploration and community engagement. Administration outlined a timeline and partnership with EUA for public listening sessions, analysis of operational and facilities priorities, and a plan to return with a more detailed presentation April 28.
Administration asked the Howard-Suamico School District Board of Education April 7 to endorse a formal pre‑referendum exploration and community engagement process intended to inform any future operational or capital referendum. Board members voiced general support for moving forward; staff said no referendum decision has been made.
Kimberly and district administrators described the exploration as an informational, community‑driven process meant to refine priorities rather than finalize projects. "So the goal of the presentation is to seek endorsement to move forward on pre referendum exploration and really honing in on exploration. Right? No decisions been made," Kimberly told the board. The administration said the exploration will examine three broad categories: (1) renewal of an operational referendum, (2) a phase‑2 facilities program to address remaining capital needs, and (3) a community engagement strategy to test priorities and tax‑impact scenarios.
District staff said the district will partner with EUA (the architect/engagement firm that led prior work) on a phased outreach plan. Key near‑term milestones presented included further analysis and outreach April–May, confirmation of priorities and preliminary options June–August, and deeper community engagement in the fall. Staff emphasized that a ballot decision would occur only after the community engagement and when the board has received a refined proposal; administration identified January as the approximate decision window for an April referendum and noted November as an alternative ballot month.
Board members asked about engagement methods and asked administration to return with a more formal presentation of the proposed outreach plan. Staff said EUA will attend the April 28 meeting to present a detailed engagement timeline and examples of surveys, listening sessions, focus groups and other outreach tools. Multiple board members expressed a preference for broad, community‑based listening sessions rather than a standing task force; staff characterized the change as replacing a narrow task force with wider listening pathways.
Ending
Administration said it will refine the engagement plan with EUA and return April 28 with a more detailed presentation and schedule. Board members requested information on phase‑2 facility priorities and spending examples so they can assess what questions would be asked of the community during outreach.
