Board approves initial $10 million bond resolution for potential recreation center

The South Milwaukee School District board on Dec. 3 approved an initial resolution authorizing general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 to acquire and improve a community recreation center. The motion was moved by Simmons and seconded by Hintz; the vote was 7-0.

Superintendent Deidre Roemer and board members framed the authorization as an initial financing step allowing the district to pursue acquisition and improvement options while staff works on agreements and an architect RFP. "Moved by Simmons and seconded by Hintz that the Board approve the Initial Resolution Authorizing General Obligation Bonds in the Amount Not To Exceed $10,000,000 to Acquire and Improve Community Recreation Center, as presented," the transcript records. The motion carried 7-0.

The resolution authorizes the district to seek bond financing but does not itself finalize purchase terms or construction contracts. Board members discussed that state Department of Public Instruction permission and additional agreements remain to be completed before a purchase could proceed. The board later moved into a closed session to deliberate negotiations related to the potential purchase.

The board made no binding purchase at the meeting; the resolution establishes authority to pursue bonding and is an early step in the acquisition process. Next steps noted in the meeting included completing architect and environmental RFPs and continuing negotiations with legal counsel and DPI.