Francois' Facility Focus
May 2024
What’s Next?
Dear Parents and Community Members,
Following the recent referendum in February 2024, our school district has taken the opportunity to reflect on the past three attempts to secure funding for facility improvements. We deeply appreciate the countless hours dedicated by volunteers who have generously donated their time and expertise to this cause. We are grateful for the outpouring of engagement we received, including the encouraging emails and phone calls expressing solidarity and the valuable feedback for future endeavors. We are committed to listening and incorporating your insights into our planning process.
Looking to the future:
While we are approaching the end of the school year, we are already ramping up for a busy summer. In partnership with the school board, we are already actively planning for a renewed facilities improvement initiative in 2025. This ongoing evaluation process allows us to assess our needs and identify areas for enhancement continuously. We believe that strong educational facilities are essential for student success. To achieve our goals, a referendum will need to occur, or the state will need to update its funding formula. These are the two options available to us. We remain dedicated to providing a safe and inspiring learning environment for our children of today and tomorrow. Thank you for your continued partnership. Your unwavering commitment to our school district is invaluable.
Together, we can shape a bright future for our students.
Dr. Lucas Francois
What are we doing in the meantime?
While it is essential to understand that the vast majority of these projects require significant funding, the district is working hard to obtain funds and accomplish projects that can be done through grants and fundraising.
Reduced Expenditures
Grants
Department Fundraisers
Alternative Revenue
Where have we been?
In April 2019, Waterford Union High School sought approval from the local community for a $9,950,000 bond referendum, which was successfully passed by the residents. As we look ahead to another referendum in 2025, I want to express gratitude for your previous support and provide an update on how the funds from the 2019 referendum were utilized. Here's a breakdown of how the money was spent:
ITEM | DOLLAR AMOUNT | COMPLETED |
Major replacements of the most critical roof areas | $1,200,000 | Yes |
HVAC System (Three rooftop chillers) | $900,000 | Yes |
Technology (Wiring, switches, servers, phones, PA, and bell systems) | $1,000,000 | Yes |
Parking Lot | $1,000,000 | Yes |
Drop off Entrance | $500,000 | Partially, a new parking lot and entrance was constructed but overruns for contaminated soil caused a bus drop-off zone to be delayed. |
Fitness Center | $1,000,000 | Yes |
Program Upgrades (FACS, Agriculture, and Arts) | $1,400,000 | Partially. A FACS residential and commercial kitchen and small animal lab were constructed. Art rooms were not completed due to the relocation of an agricultural greenhouse. |
Classrooms and Office Refresh (paint, doors, locks, safety concerns) | $1,500,000 | Yes |
LED Lighting | $500,000 | Yes |
Outside Buildings (additional fencing, new storage shed, new visiting team locker room, and, if possible, a soccer concession stand with restrooms) | $450,000 | Partially. A new storage shed was constructed. The visiting team locker room and soccer, concession stand with restrooms were not completed, and instead, the entire building was retrofitted with LED lighting. |
Contingency | $500,000 | Yes utilized for removing contaminated soils and asbestos uncovered when installing the parking lot. |
Thank You!
If you would like to schedule a time to meet to discuss more, please email me at lfrancois@wuhs.us