By Annette Newcomb/Editor
Lakewood School has called for a special election on Tuesday, May 20, to ask voters to respond to one question: Will voters allow the school district to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5.9 million for improvements at the school?
If approved the impact would be $6 per month per $100,000 assessed value.
Voting will take place at Lakewood School only (not village hall) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lakewood is home to about 407 students, 4K through eighth grade. The school was constructed in the 1960s.
The District broke needed improvements into two phases. Phase 1 will be covered under Act 32, in amount of $5.27 will not effect taxpayers at all. Phase 1 will address energy efficient improvements such as lightning, roofing Roanoke, heating, air conditioning and energy conservation.
Major problems that were identified for Phase I include a failing roofing system and building enclosures; outdated electric, security and fire safety systems; poor air quality; Americans with Disabilities compliance; inefficient lighting, unreliable PA system; external hardscapes, including parking lot and playground drainage issue and need to address the parking spaces, traffic floor and handicapped parking accessibility.
Areas that need attention were outlined in February by Michael David, president of the Milwaukee-based Nexus Solution, who presented his finding after a year-long study of the school.
Phase II
Phase II addresses structural upgrades and this is what voters will be deciding on May 20.
The project will include replacing the existing, 50-year-old gym with a larger, more updated one that would include a stage for performing arts and locker room.
In a previous interview published by The Report, Administrator Joe Price pointed out when the gym was constructed the school was home to only 100 students.
“Someone approached me recently and said they heard I wanted to build a big field house. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We aren’t competing with anyone. We have a 50-year-old gym that that does not meet our needs or safety standards.
“We are always flirting the capacity. We have outgrown the facility, it needs to be upgraded. The kids don’t even have locker rooms,” Price said last week.
Price said the gym has a 350 to 370 capacity, which the school is already surpassing. “When you sit on the bottom bleachers, your feet are on the playing court, it’s not a safe environment for anyone.”
Other Phase II upgrades would include two additional classrooms, restroom facilities, repurposing existing classrooms and connecting the front of the building to the back, reducing the time students spend walking around the building.
Price is very concerned about getting the courtyard closed in.
“Right now there is an open end and there is always fear that a student could slip around a corner unseen, despite our best efforts. We want to assure our students safety at all times and closing that end of the courtyard would further those efforts.”
“The timing is right for this to happen,” Price said, “The impact on taxes is minimal. Each year we wait the cost will rise about $600,000 a year.
Price is very passionate about Lakewood. He served as principal in 2007 and became administrator in 2010.
“We believe having a great school benefits the community. I really look at this as a partnership between the school and the community. Strong schools mean strong communities,” Price said.
Lakewood PTO and Boosters have been canvassing residents and handing out information. The school hosted an informational session May 15.
A complete breakdown of the project can be found on the school’s website, www.twinlakes.k12.wi.us. Those with questions are also welcome to contact Price or [email protected] or by calling him at (262) 877-2148, ext. 123.