Cochrane - Fountain City School District Capital Referendum Approved by Voters
FOUNTAIN CITY, WI – The Cochrane – Fountain City School District is pleased to announce the success of its $17.49 million capital referendum, with unofficial results indicating 61% voter approval.
On behalf of the C-FC Board of Education and administration, we are so grateful to the unwavering community support for our school. The approval of this referendum reflects our shared commitment to maintain this building for today and future generations as well as preparing students to be successful in the workforce.
Troy White, Superintendent
Cochrane-Fountain City School District
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 IMPROVE SAFETY AND SECURITY
- Modify main entrance to better regulate visitors
- Install building access security system
- Replace emergency notification/public address system
 COMPLETE LARGE CAPITAL MAINTENANCE PROJECTS
- Replace remaining roof sections
- Replace original damaged flooring + abate asbestos
- Replace ceilings to improve acoustics in identified classrooms and abate asbestos
- Replace failing and out of code interior doors
- Renovate bathrooms to meet Americans with Disability (ADA) code compliance
- Improve the parking lot
 REPLACE FAILING BUILDING SYSTEMS
- Update remaining HVAC equipment + controls
- Replace the septic system
 RENOVATE CLASSROOMS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPACES
- Update classroom finishes (paint, flooring, lighting, cabinetry)
- Expand fitness space to accommodate a full physical education class and provide space for adaptive physical education class
- Create a dedicated entrance to fitness space for use outside of the school day
 UPDATE + EXPAND THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) AREA
- Increase space for new equipment and job-like experiences to better prepare students for high-demand jobs in the local trades
- Add appropriately sized classrooms and labs to teach woods/construction, metals, small engine repair, auto, family and consumer science, agri-science, and robotics
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 WHAT IS THE BALLOT QUESTION?
Initial resolution authorizing issuance of general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $17,490,000 be it resolved by the School Board of the Cochrane-Fountain City Community School District, Buffalo County, Wisconsin, that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67, Wisconsin Statutes, General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $17,490,000 for the purpose of paying the costs of improvements to the District’s school building and grounds including capital maintenance and building systems and infrastructure updates; expansion of and updates to the career and technical education classrooms and labs and the weight/fitness room; and equipment acquisition related to said projects.
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WHAT WILL THE REFERENDUM COST ME?
The $17.49 million referendum is estimated to have a $0.58 increase per $1,000 of equalized property over the 24-25 rate*.
Assumes multi-phased borrowing amortized over 20 years at a planning interest rate of 5.00%. *Impact represents the hypothetical change in referendum debt mill rate over the 2024-25 mill rate for referendum debt service of $1.55.
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The District has worked hard to be good stewards of taxpayer funds. In fact, the school district’s tax mill rate decreased 11.3% in 2024 and 12.7% in 2025. The amount of taxes owed to the school district is reduced by the School Levy Tax Credit, which is set by the State of Wisconsin.
The proposed referendum will allow the District to complete important building updates while maintaining a tax mill rate BELOW the 2024 rate.
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DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE*
 * The timeline is preliminary and will be updated during the design phase. Construction will be done in stages, with areas being completed and occupied as they are finished.
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| Last Updated: 4/24/25 |
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