A Message from the District Administrator Holmen High School Construction Update
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School District of Holmen December 2019/January 2020 A Message From Holmen High School Construction Update The District Administrator By: Kevin Malin, Resident Project Representative This time of year is the perfect time to Despite the unseasonably cold temperatures and early show our gratitude. I would like to take snowfall, construction on the Holmen High School (HHS) this opportunity to thank our additions and remodeling project is still on track to meet remarkable staff who provide limitless the contractual substantial completion date of August 14, time, energy, and compassion to our 2020. The entire project is expected to be complete by students on a daily basis. The daily October 30, 2020. work they do positively impacts so many lives. Also, I am grateful for the Construction workers have taken several steps to keep on many people who give of themselves. schedule during the recent cold spell. Plastic masonry The commitment of parents, students, community enclosures have been erected and heated with LP gas members, Board members and staff will continue to build heaters to allow masons to continue building walls. an even better future for all of us in the Holmen Insulation blankets prevented the ground and footings from community. freezing before the concrete cured. Also, demolition work inside the school began to keep the kitchen remodel on The perseverance of our students and staff was once schedule. Thank you to the construction workers for their again evident on state report cards recently released by hard work in this colder weather. the WI Department of Instruction. Because of their efforts, the District received the rating of Exceeds The construction project has FAC Stage Expectations. You will read more about the report cards already reached several mile- later in this newsletter, but I wanted take a moment and stones. Initial site work was express my appreciation of those that contributed to this completed in August, allowing success. construction to begin in early September. To date, all We are not only thankful for the academic success of our footings and foundation walls students, but also the growth of their character. Our are in place, insulated, and students give back to the community seemingly every backfilled, excluding a small chance they have. From the Dancing with the Sports portion of the Career Stars event at the high school, which raised $14,000 for a Technology Education addition. HVAC and electrical young child battling cancer, to food drives held in our subcontractors have placed utility and service piping. And, middle and elementary schools to help local food many walls have been built to full height. Masons are pantries, students are doing what they can to help others. working to lay up the remaining walls in an effort to place the rooftop structural steel ahead of snow accumulating. Thank you for supporting our district and our schools. Over the next couple of months, we invite you to join us The timeline of substantial completion by August 14, 2020 at a winter musical program or sporting event. What a provides time for staff to move into the newly constructed great way to celebrate and support our talented students! and completed spaces before the 2020-21 school year. All construction is expected to be complete by the start of the With much gratitude, second quarter of that school year. Thank you to the voters of the School District of Holmen for making these improvements possible with the passage of the 2018 referendum. Kristin A. Mueller Visit HHS Facility Project Updates under the District tab of the School District of Holmen website (www.holmen.k12.wi.us) to see the latest on the construction. The page includes photos of construction, schematic designs, presentations, and much more. Vision Statement: Educating every child to achieve global success. V I S I O N S Page 2 Holmen Alumni Award Recipient The 18th Annual “Pork Feed for By: Mark Englerth, Activities Director Education” is a SUCCESS! During the October 4, 2019 Home- Holmen’s Homecoming “Pork Feed for coming festivities, Dan Anderson Education” was a success! School District of was announced as the 2019 Holmen Holmen employees proudly presented a check for Alumni Award Recipient. $4,253.30 to the Holmen Area Foundation in support of children within our community Dan Anderson, a 1985 graduate of schools. The Holmen Area Foundation supports a Holmen High School, has one goal variety of community programs, including the in mind: to make Holmen a better Holmen Viking Fund for Educational Excellence. place to live. He was born and raised on the family farm in The cooler weather brought out over 680 hungry Holmen, and he fulfills his father’s people to enjoy this annual event. Our High dream of his son carrying on the 4th School Marching Band provided great generation family farm. Dan’s entertainment for our Pork Feed guests. They family, many of them involved in continue to be an exciting addition to our event. the Holmen community and We extend our sincere appreciation to them for employed by area schools, instilled taking time out of their busy schedule to play for in him the importance of family and our community members. community. Early in his life he proved his commitment to the area through participation and service to the community. We are grateful for the cooperative effort and support of our sponsors. We thank you all for your Dan is a friend. His love for the Holmen community, the Holmen generosity! School District, and the people young and old, proves he has a passion for and a genuine interest in all people. Dan and his wife Sponsorship funds were received from these local Karen continue to inspire their three children, Tyler (2014), Steven financial institutions: (2015) and Lynsey (2020) all graduates of Holmen High School. Altra Federal Credit Union Dan is a leader. He has helped form and develop many sporting Bluff View Bank activities for Holmen youth. His personal involvement in high Coulee Bank school activities encouraged him to create and improve programs to Firefighters Credit Union, give all students a chance to benefit from involvement. He was River Bank instrumental in the development of the Holmen Tackle Football Verve, a Credit Union League and the Youth Basketball League. He has also volunteered many hours with the Holmen Youth Baseball Parent Association, Other contributing businesses were: the Holmen High School Booster Club, the varsity football team American Legion and the Holmen Park and Recreation teams. He has also been an Bakalars Sausage Company active member of the Town of Onalaska Planning Commission, Festival Foods Holmen Rotary Organization, Associated Milk Producers Inc., and Pan-O-Gold La Crosse County Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Prairie Farms Dairy Reinhart Foods Dan is a doer. He is instrumental in organizing and encouraging The “Pork Feed for Education” was also made many improvements to the Holmen Area, especially on school possible through the volunteer efforts of over 40 grounds. His endless fundraising efforts have produced new employees and friends of the School District of scoreboards, improved fields, up to date uniforms and opportunities Holmen. Our for all. Dan has used his energy to help Holmen Schools and the sponsors and activities meet the needs of many, including many hours preparing volunteers are and leading youth basketball tournaments. Dan also hosts many making a difference in the lives of field trips of young people to his family farm. With great pride he children and giving shares his life-long work with students and teachers and educates something back to the them about life on a farm. community. Congratulations to Dan on this well-deserved recognition! Vision Statement: Educating every child to achieve global success. V I S I O N S Page 3 School District Budget and Tax Rate By Julie Holman, Director of Finance and Operations At its October 28, 2019 meeting, the School Board of increased by 8.54%, the school district tax (mill) rate will Education approved the 2019-20 Original Budget and decrease to $10.34, $0.22 less than the rate certified in Tax Levy. The Original Budget information was 2018. For the owner of a $200,000 (fair market property published in the La Crosse Tribune and is also available value) home, the school portion of your property tax bill electronically on the School District of Holmen website will be $2,068. at https://www.holmen.k12.wi.us/departments/budget- information.cfm Tax Rate = Tax Levy Equalized Property Value The 2019-20 operating budget includes a $780,305 surplus (1.6% of the general fund expenditure budget) Tax Rate = $19,620,532 due to estimated revenues exceeding estimated expenditures. The general fund revenue budget is $1,897,908,385 $50,069,147, a decrease of 1.01% over prior year. The general fund expenditure budget is $49,288,842, an Tax Rate = 0.01033798, OR, increase of 1.50% over prior year. The budget surplus Mill Rate = $10.34 per $1,000 of property supports fund balance reserves for the completion the Mill Rate Change –2.08% 2017 Safety and Security referendum projects. The District is in the first year of the renewed technology Beyond the school tax rate, the amount of property taxes operating referendum approved as a non-recurring you pay will be affected by the property tax rates of other referendum in 2019. The technology referendum included taxing authorities, property tax credits and changes in voter approval to exceed the revenue limit by $450,000 your property’s fair market value. per year for five years. The School District of Holmen is committed to providing To support the total budget, maintain a steady mill rate quality services for our children while making the best and practice debt defeasance, the School Board use of the resources provided by the of Education approved a tax levy at the same meeting.