GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The media was given a first look Tuesday at the two Green Bay middle schools listed on the district's $20 million spring referendum.
The plan contains renovations to Franklin and Washington Middle schools, along with Tank, Nicolet, Fort Howard and Chappell elementary schools.
Franklin Middle School has a boiler system that is the original from 1957, according to Green Bay School District's facility manager.
That takes top billing on the referendum, along with HVAC systems at Washington Middle and the four elementary schools
“The typical life of a mechanical system is 25 to 30 years, so we're well past the length almost double the life,” Mike Stangel, the Director of Facilities for the district, told FOX 11.
The district says the time has come to fix other things that are literally falling apart--or just inefficient.
Beyond heating and air conditioning systems here at Washington middle school, they're also looking at renovating this lobby. It's currently in the back of the building. But the office is in the front and they need to update security.
“We've had all these buildings on a list for several years,” Stangel explained. “We try to take as much as we can at a time and not raise taxes.”
The district says taxes won't go up if the referendum passes, because of existing funds. If the measure fails, the property tax rate would decrease by around $35 for the average $100,000 home.
Voters will go to the polls to decide on April 1st.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11)