By Annette Newcomb/Editor
A special referendum vote held May 20 by Lakewood School was approved 341 to 100. The unofficial count was posted on the school’s website Tuesday night, along with a thank you to voters who supported the referendum.
“Many positive changes have already taken place at Lakewood, improvement of our facilities for our students will improve their education and bring the community even closer together,” said an unattributed post.
The school district was seeking approval to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5.9 million for infrastructure improvements at the school. The amount breaks down to about $6 per month per $100,000 assessed value.
The school was constructed in the 1960s and current serves 407 students, 4K through eighth grade.
The first phase of improvements, in the amount of $5.27 million, was approved through Act 32 and will not impact taxpayers. Phase 1 addresses a failing roof system, air quality, and energy efficient improvements such as lighting, roofing, unreliable PA system, parking issues, handicapped accessibility, ADA compliance, outdated security system, hardscapes, drainage, heating and air conditioning.
With referendum approval the school will now focus on Phase II, which includes replacing the 50-year-old gym additional classrooms, restroom facilities, connecting the front and back of the building which will reducing time students have to walk through the school to get to different classrooms and repurposing existing classrooms.
A complete breakdown of the project can be found on the school’s website, www.twinlakes.k12.wi.us.
School officials are expected to make announcement soon on start dates for the projects to begin.