Community Feedback Sessions (Fall 2022)
- Elementary Facility Planning Feedback Form – November 1, 2022
- Feedback from Community Meeting – November 1st.
- Click here to view video of the introduction of options from the parent meetings.
Facility Planning Report & News
- Board of Education consideration and action for April referendum pertaining to facilities and operations (January 9, 2023):
- Consideration and action upon initial resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $29,000,000
- Consideration and action upon resolution to exceed the revenue cap commencing with the 2023-2024 school year.
- Consideration and action upon resolution providing for a referendum election on the questions of the approval of an initial resolution authorizing issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $29,000,000 and the approval of a resolution to exceed the district’s revenue cap commencing with the 2023-2024 school year.
- Bray Architects Report to the Board of Education – December 20, 2022
- Superintendent Ouellette Presentation – November 1, 2022
- Elementary Facilities Planning Analysis Priority 1 & 2 Summary – December 13, 2021 (Wold Architects)
- Priority 1 – Immediate Need
- Priority 2 – 0-2 Years (Items are well past useful life or further deterioration will create higher repair costs or damage to other areas of the building)
- Priority 3 – 3-5 Years (Material or system that currently functions but will require replacement or repair within 5 years)
- Priority 4 – 6-10 Years (Material or system that currently functions but will require replacement or repair within 6-10 years)
- Priority N – Items related to aesthetics
- Elementary Facilities Planning Options Details – November 1, 2022 (Bray Architects)
- Elementary Facilities Planning Summary Page – November 1, 2022 (Bray Architects)
- Board of Education Work Session – October 24, 2022 (Discussion of Elementary Facilities and Funding starting at 28:00)
- Potential Staffing Scenarios for Elementary Options – October, 2022
- Hudson School District Newsletter – October, 2022
- Elementary & Middle School Options with Preliminary Budget Estimates (Bray Architects) – October 24, 2022
- Financial Considerations of Facility and Operational Levies (Baird) – October 24, 2022
- Elementary Facilities Planning Options – September 28, 2022
- Facilities Planning Meetings and Online Feedback (Sept. – October, 2022)
- Enrollment Projection Study (UW-Madison Applied Population Laboratory) – June, 2022
- Facility Task Force Final Report (Wold Architects) – December, 2021
- Facility Financing (Baird) – November, 2021
- Ten Year Facility Plan (Wold Architects) – May, 2021
Why Now?
Over the past two years, the Hudson School District has engaged the community, families, and staff in reviewing and planning our long-term facility needs. After a delay due to the pandemic, a Facilities Task Force began meeting in September 2021. This Task Force was made up of parents, community members, and staff. Their work led to the development of options that were presented to the community through a survey last fall. The survey results did not provide a clear direction to the Board of Education. The Board decided that additional research and planning needed to take place. Of primary concern was elementary enrollment projections.
During this planning, the School District has focused on the three challenges listed below.
Capital Maintenance Needs
The School District has worked to maintain facilities within the constraints of its annual budget. Most school district annual budgets do not provide adequate resources for large capital maintenance projects like heating, air conditioning, roofs, and windows. School districts across the state are experiencing the same capital maintenance challenges as Hudson. Annual public school funding simply does not cover these large expenses.
The School District invests approximately $1.5 million to $2 million annually in capital maintenance projects. This annual allocation, at a minimum, allows us to update one elementary school’s electrical and mechanical systems and not provide capital maintenance at any other school site.
Declining Student Enrollments
At the same time the School District has multiple capital maintenance projects, we are also experiencing declining student enrollments. State aid revenue for the School District is determined by the number of students attending our schools. Fewer students means less revenue for the School District. Even if student enrollment holds steady, state aid per student is not likely to cover expenses at the current inflation rate.
Operational Efficiencies
The School District must plan for lower enrollments and reduced state aid to sustain our positive financial standing. Our current budget challenges assume no new K-12 funding in the state biennial budget. Inadequate state funding puts pressure on all aspects of our operating budget. The School District is committed to maintaining academic excellence, adequate resources to met the learning needs of all students, keeping our current class size guidelines, and recruiting and retaining high-quality staff.
As a School District, we strive for the excellence our community expects and our students deserve while being mindful of our taxpayers. Considering the challenges related to capital maintenance, declining student enrollments, and the need for operational efficiencies, the Board of Education is reviewing five (5) potential elementary facility options. The majority of options include closing Houlton and Willow River Elementary Schools. By closing two elementary schools, the School District can assume operational cost savings related to less maintenance and a slight reduction in staff.
Hudson School District Facility Task Force Overview (2021-2022)
The Hudson School District has initiated a process to gather community input for the School Board to aide in decisions related to facilities.
The role of the Task Force is to analyze and review information and data regarding Hudson Schools facilities and their capacity for 21st century learning. The Task Force will submit a report to the School Board for consideration. The recommendations will include an examination of deferred maintenance, capital projects, and the possibilities around renovating or replacing school buildings. All meetings will be facilitated by Wold Architects and Engineers. (click here to read more)
2021-2022 Task Force Meeting Schedule
- Wold Final Report to the Board – December 13, 2021
- September 15, 2021 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at River Crest Elementary School
- September 20, 2021 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at Hudson High School
- October 4, 2021 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at Willow River Elementary School
- October 18, 2021 from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM at EP Rock Elementary School
- November 1, 2021 from 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM at Houlton Elementary School then at North Hudson Elementary from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- November 15, 2021 from 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM at Hudson Middle School then at Hudson Prairie Elementary School from 6:15 – 8:30 PM
- November 22, 2021 at 5:30 PM: Present recommendation to Board of Education