Fall classes are about to begin in the La Crosse School District, which means a referendum on school construction projects is also approaching.
As it did at the beginning of the year, the district will schedule further information events for the public before the vote in November.
The referendum calls for $53.5 million for a range of measures:
- Tear down the Hogan administration site and build a new elementary school there.
- Close Spence and Emerson elementary schools and move them to the above building.
- Modernize State Road Elementary with eight new classrooms and a new gymnasium.
- Close Hintgen Elementary School and move students to State Road.
Dr. Aaron Engel, superintendent of La Crosse Schools, told school board members at Monday’s biweekly meeting that they are not allowed to publicly comment on the referendum when speaking at informational meetings.
“While we typically bring forward items that we think are beneficial to the school district, we can’t tell people to vote yes or no on a particular issue,” Engel said. “So all we can do is present the information to the best of our ability, answer people’s questions and make sure they go out and vote and exercise their constitutional right.”
Board Chairman Dr. Juan Jimenez said meetings could also potentially be scheduled in the morning and early afternoon to give more people the opportunity to participate.
Jimenez recently appeared on La Crosse Talk PM and discussed the referendum plan and the consequences if it is not passed.
La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM/1410 AM/106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.
The school board has already held a number of public meetings on proposed school changes. Some of the upcoming meetings will be held both online and in person.
