3/25/17 – Voters in the Hustisford School District will see a facilities referendum on the April 4 ballot. President of the Board of Education at Hustisford, David Strysick, says that the referendum would address concerns that the school board has discussed for the last six to seven years. The spring referendum includes the same items as the question that failed by 80 votes this past November. However, the price tag increased by $235,000 to $5.8-million due to cost bumps throughout the construction market. If approved, the referendum would cover a variety of facility upgrades at John Hustis Elementary School including the creation of a safe, secure entryway, renovation of the existing gym into a larger cafeteria space, a new gymnasium, a new hard surface playground and parking lot, and three additional classrooms. Hustisford School Superintendent Heather Cramer says by moving the offices to the front of the building it will create a safe vestibule. Currently, visitors walk pass classrooms but the renovations would fix that. Director of Financial Services Mike Gerlach says, if successful, the mill rate would increase by an estimated $1.59, meaning the owner of a $150,000 house would pay an extra $238 per year. If the referendum is approved, construction would begin in the fall of 2017 and be completed before the 2018-2019 school year. Inside work would be done during summer so to not disrupt classes.
