Wisconsin Heights School Board votes 4-3 to go to referendum in the fall

The Wisconsin Heights School Board voted four to three in favor of a facilities referendum in the fall, asking residents if they’re willing to fund $27 million to make much-needed improvements to the District buildings. The board also voted unanimously to modify the sports season, by pushing back start dates and shortening seasons. The question on board member’s mind was whether it was the right time to ask voters for an increase in their tax bills. “It’s about people I know...who are living on a shoestring [budget] right now,” said Gary Damaschke. “We need to focus on education, [and] not split on a referendum,” said Mary Beth Schall. “We do need funds for infrastructure,” said Barb Statz. District Administrator Jordan Sinz noted the school’s roofs were in need of immediate repair, with an estimated cost of $1 million. Without the referendum, the District would have to find the $1 million from operation costs. “We have to do some of these things...I think now is the time,” said Statz. “There’s never gonna be a good time,” said board member Cindy Beuthin. Concerns included whether WisDOT would improve the Highway 14 entrance to accommodate a single building campus. In addition, Damaschke noted that the District only receives 17% of its funding from the state. He wondered whether they could even count on that 17% considering the impact of COVID-19. Mike Wagner, Mary Beth Schall, and Damaschke voted “no.” Statz, Beuthin, Matt Crowe, and James Kartman voted yes. Kartman was the last to vote, breaking a three to three tie. The board voted down the proposal for a $7.5 auditorium addition by the same lines, with Kartman swinging to a “no” vote. On Tuesday, District Administrator Jordan Sinz distributed a press release (see below).   Dane County says online only   On Saturday Madison and Dane County Public Health issued an emergency order for schools to move to online only instruction. The department said: “Due to the current average COVID-19 case count in Dane County, Public Health Madison & Dane County is issuing Emergency Order #9 PDF . The order requires all county schools to begin the school year virtually for students in grades 3-12, closing them to in-person pupil instruction, effective August 24, 2020 at 12:01 am. Grades K-2 may have in-person pupil instruction, with precautions outlined in the Order. Schools serving K-2 students are not required to open for in-person instruction, and those that choose to provide in-person pupil instruction for grades K-2 must still offer virtual learning options for students. “Moving students in grades 3-12 to virtual learning is not a step we take lightly, as schools provide critical services, and in-person instruction offers unparalleled opportunities and structure for students and parents,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “Given our current case count, we believe moving students in grades 3-12 to virtual learning is necessary for the safety of our community.” While research on school-aged children continues to emerge and evolve, a number of systematic reviews have found that school-aged children contract COVID-19 at lower rates than older populations. This is particularly pronounced among younger school-aged children. Public Health Madison & Dane County has defined school metrics to guide decisions for in-person instruction. As of August 21, Dane County is averaging 42 cases per day. In order to consider reopening grades 3-5 for in-person instruction, Dane County must sustain at or below a 14-day average of 39 cases per day for four consecutive weeks.   In order to consider reopening grades 6-12 for in-person instruction, Dane County must sustain at or below a 14-day average of 19 cases per day for four consecutive weeks. Should Dane County’s average number of cases per day over a two-week period increase above 54, we would consider closing all schools to in-person instruction.” Sinz noted that the board’s decision on July 27 to begin the year online put them in a much better decision. Had they chosen to start hybrid or in person, Sinz said “We’d be scrambling to start the school year [online] in one week.” Reopening the school will be based on metrics provided by Public Health Madison and Dane County. For grades K through 2, Dane County must average 54 new cases per day for four weeks. For third through fifth, 39 cases per day for four weeks, and for sixth through 12, 19 cases a week for four weeks. The County is averaging just under 40 new cases of COVID-19 a day.