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District accepts $125,000 Connaughton Foundation grant to replace Central’s gym court
Summary
The West Allis–West Milwaukee School District board approved acceptance of a $125,000 grant from the Pat Connaughton Foundation to replace the wood court at West Allis Central High School’s field house and allow district flexibility to reallocate referendum funds if the grant covers original scope.
The West Allis–West Milwaukee School District board voted Feb. 24 to accept a $125,000 grant from the Pat Connaughton Foundation to replace the wood court at West Allis Central High School’s field house.
District staff said the grant application highlighted facility needs at Central and included stipulations on logos and naming placement, and a right of first refusal should the district later refurbish the court again. Board members asked how the grant would interact with funds from the district’s 2024 facilities referendum; staff said the grant could replace referendum money budgeted for the field house, allowing the district to reallocate referendum funds to other projects.
The Connaughton award Administrators said the district applied to the Connaughton program in September and learned last week that the grant had been approved. Staff described the program as providing new wood courts and related refurbishment in collaboration with Connaughton Courts. The award amount announced at the meeting was $125,000.
Board discussion Board members asked whether the grant would replace referendum money and whether accepting the grant created any long‑term obligations. Staff replied that the district submitted a project budget as part of the grant application and that, if grant dollars cover the court work, the district could use the referendum allocation for other district priorities. Staff also noted the grant includes logo placement and an option for the foundation to be involved if the court is refurbished again.
Motion and outcome A motion to accept the grant passed by voice vote; individual vote tallies were not provided in the meeting transcript. The district said staff will continue with project scoping and bidding and will return to the board to advise on final project costs and any reallocation of referendum funds if applicable.
Implications District officials characterized the grant as a one‑time capital contribution for a high‑need athletic facility. Staff indicated accepting the grant does not obligate the district to immediate additional spending beyond the described project; decisions on using reallocated referendum funds would come later, with full board review and public bidding processes.
