District reports progress on referendum projects and outlines possible phase‑2 priorities
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Summary
District staff reported completion of multiple roofing projects, the Central Field House opening, and a 2026 construction program covering Nathan Hale, Irving, Pershing and Frank Lloyd Wright. Board members discussed potential use of surplus funds and urged consideration of classroom and CTE investments for broader student impact.
District staff updated the West Allis–West Milwaukee School Board on referendum-funded construction projects, described work completed in 2025 and outlined planned 2026 projects for four schools while board members debated equity in any potential phase‑2 spending.
Staff reported that roofing projects at Horace Mann, Pershing, Central and Nathan Hale were completed, and the Central Field House was opened to school events after meeting key milestones. The administration said final punch-list items and signage remain and that budgeting and meetings with design and construction partners are ongoing; staff said they expect some savings that could be redirected to a phase‑2 list of projects.
Ongoing and near-term repairs include a steam-leak remediation and asbestos-related ceiling remediation at Doty, planned replacement of a failed chiller and boilers at West Milwaukee over spring break, partial exterior concrete work at Frank Lloyd Wright and phased PA-system upgrades across the district. The district said it has released bid sets (with CG Schmidt listed as the contractor partner) and will conduct site walks with bidders before awarding contracts.
For 2026 the district is planning targeted work at Nathan Hale (pool drain and gutter, auxiliary gym flooring, TechEd ventilation, bathroom remodels and gym cooling adjustments), Irving (bathroom renovation, creation of a personal-care ADA pod and a complex HVAC/cooling solution), Pershing (bathrooms and rooftop HVAC/chiller work and an elevator possibility from savings) and Frank Lloyd Wright (bathrooms, pool substructure corrosion work, elevator replacements, and a still-to-be-resolved flooring issue involving asbestos remediation).
Board members raised questions about using surplus funds for athletic-equity projects versus investments that would touch more students—such as updated science classrooms, CTE facilities or career-technical spaces. Staff said the referendum included specified items and that potential additional projects would be brought back to the board for approval if funds remain, and that some CTE elements (for example, shop exhaust systems) were included in earlier planning.
Staff provided a rough owner-cost figure for Central Field House work, noting about $1,000,000 in owner-provided items and remediation (athletic flooring, remediation of mercury and owner-supplied AV/IT equipment). The board requested clearer communications to show how potential savings might be prioritized should they materialize.