Gibraltar School Considers Asking Voters for $29.8 Million

An aerial photo of the Gibraltar School District campus by Brett Kosmider.

Officials in Door County’s two farthest-north school districts are one step away from placing referendum measures on the April 4 ballot.

Just before the winter break, the Gibraltar Area School Board discussed a first reading of a resolution for a $29.8 million referendum to replace and update the oldest portions of the school complex in Fish Creek.

Superintendent Brett Stousland said the board can decide Jan. 9 whether to approve the referendum question.

The phrasing of Gibraltar’s question, as of late December, was: “Shall the School District of Gibraltar Area, Door County, Wisconsin, be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in the amount not to exceed $29.8 million for the public purpose of paying the cost of a district-wide school-facility improvement project at the school building and site consisting of renovations, safety and security, building infrastructure and building systems improvements; construction of additions for classrooms, offices, and a replacement gymnasium; removal and replacement of older portions of the school building, site improvements and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.”

Meanwhile, Sue Cornell, business manager of the Washington Island School District, confirmed that the school board there has discussed placing an operational-funding referendum question on the spring ballot. 

Washington Island school board members have a special meeting set for Jan. 2 and a budget committee meeting scheduled for Jan. 9, by which time they should have a dollar amount and a determination of seeking authorization for two years or three. 

The board’s regular meeting is Jan. 22, 6 pm.