La Crosse School Board Revises Plans to Educate Public About $53.5 Million Referendum

Four months before La Crosse residents vote on a $53.5 million referendum to change the school district, the school board is working on ways to inform the public about the district’s construction plans.

During Monday’s biweekly meeting, the board discussed a number of possible presentations, comparing current facilities with ideas that could emerge from the referendum.

The referendum plan is to demolish the Hogan Administrative Center and build a new elementary school there, while updating State Road Elementary with eight new classrooms and a new gymnasium. In addition, Emerson, Spence and Hintgen elementary schools would close.

Aaron Engel, La Crosse Schools Director, talked about how education has changed since Emerson was built in 1939.

“We don’t teach the same way we used to,” Engel said. “We have higher demands, new obligations. Our community is asking for different things.

Another community engagement meeting will be held online on July 17 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., with more meetings planned before the fall elections.

La Crosse School Board President Dr. Juan Jimenez told the board that the district will explain why the additional funding is necessary.

“The feeling when you ask for $53 million for everything in an elementary school is that you are asking for everything in gold,” Jimenez said, “so why is the cost so high?

“This is also a good example of us being judicious,” he said. “This is the cost of facilities these days.”

The board also looked at a number of possible presentations, comparing current facilities with ideas that could emerge from the referendum.