Waukesha School Board approves land transfers, $1.5 million curriculum fund and utility easements

The School District of Waukesha Board of Education on May 14 approved several Finance & Facilities Committee recommendations, including land transactions tied to a drainage improvement at North High School, a $1.5 million designation in the district’s Fund 10 for future core curriculum resources, and two utility easements requested by We Energies.

The moves came after the Finance & Facilities Committee reviewed the items at its May 12 meeting and brought them to the full board for action. Carrie Kozlowski, reporting for the committee, said the North High School agreement “incorporates the necessary land and easement transactions between the city and the school district.” Kozlowski moved each item; the motions passed on roll calls with unanimous support (9–0).

Why it matters: the drainage agreement is directly tied to a planned field improvement at North High School and requires land and easement transfers with the City of Waukesha. The $1.5 million designation is intended to prefund anticipated curriculum expenditures for core curricular resources. The We Energies easements will support electrical upgrades — an underground conversion at Bethesda Elementary and improved service at Meadowbrook Elementary — work the administration said will also benefit surrounding neighborhoods.

Most important facts - North High School drainage project: committee-approved land and easement transactions with the city of Waukesha; board approval recorded as 9–0. - Fund balance designation: the board approved designating $1,500,000 in committed Fund 10 fund balance “for the sole purpose of funding the future core curriculum resources.” Vote 9–0. - We Energies easements: the board approved two easement requests (Meadowbrook and Bethesda) to improve electrical service and convert aerial lines to underground where specified. Vote 9–0.

Board action and votes - Motion: Approve North High School drainage project land transfer agreements with the City of Waukesha. Mover: Carrie Kozlowski; Second: Diane Voigt. Outcome: approved, roll call 9–0 (Carrie Kozlowski; David Wadd; Betty Koenig; Eric Brooks; Diane Voigt; Natalie Grama; Anthony Zenobia; Thomas Harland; Kelly Piasik — all recorded “Aye”). - Motion: Designate $1,500,000 in committed Fund 10 fund balance for future core curriculum resources. Mover: Carrie Kozlowski; Second: David Wadd. Outcome: approved, roll call 9–0. - Motion: Approve We Energies easement requests for Meadowbrook and Bethesda elementaries. Mover: Carrie Kozlowski; Second: Betty Koenig. Outcome: approved, roll call 9–0.

Context and next steps Finance & Facilities also received a monthly budget update noting scheduled tax levy payments and a near-completion of long-term debt principal payments. The committee previewed Phase 2 of the district’s long-range budget planning process; committee members and administrators encouraged residents to review materials and the recorded public information sessions as planning continues. Further committee and board actions will follow as projects proceed and as financing details are finalized.

Administration and staff involved in related work were thanked by board members during the meeting; board members also commended the public information sessions held in recent weeks as part of the long-range planning effort. Additional approvals and design details will be brought back to committee as contracts, easements and specific construction documents are finalized.