Waunakee school board approves $97.5 million referendum package for Nov. 2026 ballot

The Waunakee Community School District board voted to place a $97.5 million referendum question on the Nov. 2026 ballot after a discussion about scope, contingency and how to use energy rebates to reduce the tax‑levy impact.

Administrative presenter Allison Buchanan told trustees the $97.5 million figure narrows the district’s previously discussed options and would allow the district to allocate roughly $1 million for rooftop solar at the high school, about $2 million toward a partial geothermal installation, and about $1.3 million to manage the levy in the first year. Buchanan said those allocations total roughly $4.3 million and would be adjusted as the district receives contractor analyses and rebate guidance.

“Any numbers on this page or any projects that we brought forward in this recommendation can be discussed later,” Buchanan said, adding that the district would request an updated financial plan from its advisors before finalizing levy figures.

Consultant Jake from Vogel, who spoke on cost comparisons, summarized construction cost drivers and contingency assumptions and said some site and phasing factors make the high school work costlier on a per‑square‑foot basis than the middle‑school project reviewed in 2024.

Trustees debated the two leading options (about $99.5 million and $97.5 million). One trustee described the recommended approach to use energy‑rebate proceeds and contingency management as “a win‑win” for the community, noting the potential to lower the net ask if projects come in under budget.

After trustees moved and seconded a motion to set the referendum total at $97.5 million (including the athletic‑park allocation and the administrative prioritization process), the board held a roll‑call vote. The motion carried and the board directed staff to engage bond counsel, return a financial plan in August, and bring a draft resolution for formal approval.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Set referendum amount at $97,500,000 (incorporating athletic park allocation as shown on the district slide). Mover: Committee member (speaker 3). Second: Committee member (speaker 4). Outcome: approved. - Roll‑call excerpt: Mark — aye; Heather — aye; Chris — aye; Kevin — aye. The motion passed on recorded vote.

What the package would fund The capital portion includes demolition of the oldest high‑school sections and a two‑story addition, plus new parking and athletic‑facility work. The $97.5 million alternative reduces previously-discussed scope and applies approximately $1 million for solar and $2 million toward geothermal at the high school, with the remainder used for construction, contingency and tax‑levy management.

Next steps The board asked staff to obtain a formal financial plan from the district’s advisors (PTMA), finalize language for an August resolution, consult bond counsel and begin referendum outreach once the resolution is approved. Buchanan emphasized that specific athletic projects would be prioritized after Rettler produces a facilities analysis, and that the district could choose how much of the allocated athletic budget to spend based on that report.

Context Buchanan noted the district has used contingency and project savings on previous building programs and that interest earnings on bond proceeds can be used to offset future levy impacts. The district’s operational plan also contemplates a possible four‑year operational referendum option to continue $2.1 million in expiring funds dedicated to compensation; that operational question remains separate from the capital question discussed and will be finalized as staff develops the ballot language.

The board approved the referendum motion at the meeting and will consider the required resolution and financial plan at upcoming August meetings.