MMSD to rebuild Anana, Crestwood elementary schools

Investing in new buildings, rather than continuing to expand renovation plans, will extend the expected useful life of each school from approximately 25 years under the renovation approach to 70 years with new construction, and will not increase the referendum’s total cost.

The shift, which was presented to the Board of Education’s Operations Work Group this evening, will see MMSD using interest earnings from referendum revenue to support the new construction, and reflects both evolving building needs and the opportunity to make a longer-term investment in both school communities.

“For a lot of reasons, this is a full-circle moment and something that we should be proud of,” said Board President Savion Castro. “The investments that we’re putting into sustainability are helping us, in part, to rebuild two new schools … [which] demonstrates our commitment to respecting the limits of our taxpayers and the responsible, diligent choices we’ve made – the Board and administration combined – in a very fiscally tight environment for every school district in Wisconsin.”

As planning has progressed, the scope of renovations needed at Anana and Crestwood expanded to include additional space, major building system replacements and other improvements.

“At both schools, we’ve identified needs that go beyond the original renovation plans and expand accessibility, programming opportunity, sustainability and community spaces,” said Scott Chehak, MMSD’s senior executive director of building services. “Rebuilding allows us to address those needs comprehensively and create learning environments that will better serve students, staff and families for decades to come.”

At Anana, the expanded renovation scope included updates to accommodate programming and enrollment needs, replacement of sanitary and stormwater systems, improved windows and building-envelope performance, upgraded school communications and more comprehensive furniture replacement.

At Crestwood, the scope also grew to include replacement of sanitary and stormwater systems, additional space for programming, improved windows and roof replacement, upgraded school communications and more comprehensive furniture replacement. A failing section of the building’s southern foundation wall was also cited as a concern.

The new facilities will provide additional space to improve accessibility, circulation and continuity; allow for building placement that improves safety and traffic flow; and support arts, special education and collaborative learning-related programming, as well as full-day, five-day-a-week four-year-old kindergarten (4K) classes – a growing district-wide need, and one of the primary goals of MMSD’s ongoing Building for the Future boundary/attendance area review – which neither school presently offers.

The plan is supported by an estimated $24 million in interest earnings on referendum revenue. Under the current plan, approximately $13.25 million would be invested in rebuilding Anana and Crestwood, leaving an estimated $11.32 million in interest earnings. The figures reflect current projections and take into account anticipated Inflation Reduction Act credits for eligible building projects.

“Using the interest earned on referendum funds allows us to consider a more durable solution for Anana and Crestwood without changing the original voter-approved referendum amount,” said Bob Soldner, assistant superintendent of financial services. “Our goal is to make thoughtful decisions now that support safe, functional and adaptable schools while making responsible use of the resources our community has entrusted to us.”