This week our speaker was our fellow member and superintendent of schools Dr. Matthew Joynt. His presentation provided information regarding the proposed referendum for the Mequon-Thiensville School District. The referendum has many goals: maintaining a commitment to facilities, providing high quality adaptable physical environments for students, addressing current and future learning needs, providing value to all stake holders, and staying financially responsible.
Following an initial review, six areas were identified for potential support.
The area highlighted as the main concern was enrollment and growth. the existing capacity for our elementary schools is 1524 students; the current enrollment is 1561. before adjusting for expected growth in the next 5-10 years, we are above our limit. The plan would call for renovations at the three elementary schools to increase space available for all classes, expand cafeterias, and renovating targeted spaces at the middle schools including musics specialist for current needs.
The next important area identified was safety/security. In a world with ever evolving dangers and threats, it is important students feel safe in our schools. That in mind, the district is looking to improve traffic circulation and parking lot queuing space, make restrooms and play grounds more accessible for those with mobility impairments, create a more identifiable main entrance at homestead and district wide, improvements to control visitor, and connect municipal water and enhance fire suppression at middle and elementary levels.
The other four issues, outdated learning environments, maintenance, community and recreation use, and athletics are important; however, they are not the current priority of the district.
If you have additional questions, I encourage you to visit https://www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/district/facilities/referendum or talk with Dr. Joynt.