Welcome to the PASD 2026 Facility Referendum page! Find background information, important dates, answers to frequently asked questions, and more here.
Attend an Info Session
Come to an Info Session to learn more about the upcoming referendum.
September 30 | 6:30 p.m.
Lenz Auditorium
October 6 | 6:30 p.m.
Marcellon Town Hall, W6180 School Road
October 22 | 6:30 p.m.
Wyocena Village Hall, 119 N Washington St.
Tour the Building
Start at Balliet for a guided tour, walking through the Middle/High School building to see our facilities and learn about our current challenges.
September 15 | 9:30 a.m.
September 30 | 5:45 p.m. — Info Session to follow
October 20 | 1:30 p.m.
Questions? Contact Amber Denure, District Administrator
denuam@pasdwi.org
608.429.2153 ext. 213
Background
Our focus will always be our students and giving them the best education possible. In 2021, the district identified Facilities & Operations as one of our core pillars, and we have engaged in long-range facility planning to ensure our buildings and spaces are adequate for our school community.
In April 2025, district residents voted “yes” to approve an operating referendum and “no” to a $23.5 million facilities referendum. Under new leadership from interim Superintendent Gus Knitt, the district worked to come up with a new plan to address existing facility challenges, listening to the community’s feedback on utilizing the operating budget.
Since then, the district has worked to complete many facility improvements by leveraging the operating budget. However, there are still significant facility needs that cannot be addressed through the operating budget alone.
During the August 3rd Board meeting, the Board unanimously approved going to referendum, adding a $13.1 million facilities question to the November 3rd election ballot.
Current Needs
Balliet Building
Fifth graders are in the Balliet building, which is on the Middle/High School site but separate and disconnected from the main building. This is not ideal from a safety and security standpoint. Every class period, no matter the season or weather, students have to walk outside from the Balliet building to the Middle/High School. If students need to get to the office, they often have to wait outside the building for someone to let them in.
The Balliet building was not originally built as a school facility. It is aging and needs significant repairs, and simply repairing it would still mean students have to walk outside to get to their classes.
Middle School Cafeteria
Due to a lack of space, Middle School students eat in the wrestling gym. They only get 15 minutes to get their food and eat, and the kitchen staff has to serve food out of a closet.
District Kitchen
The District Kitchen at the High School serves the entire district, as well as St. John’s and COMAN Elementary (Columbia-Marquette County Adolescent Needs School). It is small and outdated, with much of the original kitchen equipment from the 1960s (which doesn’t always work)
$13.1 million | Proposed Plan
Our proposed plan addresses each of these needs and takes community feedback to keep a referendum under $15 million into account.
By demolishing Balliet and creating a Middle School addition, our fifth graders will no longer be disconnected from the rest of the school and will also have a more secure facility. This will also provide Middle School students with a dedicated cafeteria and more time for lunch and recess. A High School cafeteria and District Kitchen renovation will provide necessary upgrades to the kitchen and serving space, as well as make our loading dock accessible.
Balliet Demolition, Middle School Classroom, Cafeteria Addition | $9.9 million
- Adds four middle school classrooms
- Creates a dedicated cafeteria
- Creates flexible large-group instructional space
- Adds changing rooms & restrooms
High School Cafeteria & District Kitchen Renovation | $3.2 million
- Renovates and updates cafeteria
- Updates District Kitchen that serves all students
- Makes loading dock more accessible
- Updates nearby restrooms
Estimated Tax Impact
|
Fair Market Property Value
|
Facilities
$0.67 per $1,000 for 21 years
Cost per year
|
| $100,000 |
$67 |
| $250,000* |
$167.50 |
*$250,000 is the median home value in Pardeeville.
Frequently Asked Questions
What have you been doing since the last referendum?
Since April 2025, a number of updates have been made across the district using our operating budget.
- Roofing: The majority of the Middle School roof was replaced this summer. Some of the additional roofing needs that were part of the 2025 referendum were for the Balliet building, but would no longer be needed if Balliet is demolished and replaced with an addition.
- Key Fobs: Updated key fobs allow for easier and more secure access across our buildings.
- Elementary Security: We’ve secured an entrance at the elementary school and added locks to the gym doors.
- High School Greenhouse: Thanks to fundraising efforts, the new greenhouse was completed outside of the district budget.
How did we pay for these projects?
The district had a change of leadership and was able to bring back Gus Knitt, who has deep knowledge of the district, as interim superintendent. Some of the funds were reallocated from the successful April 2025 operating referendum, reflecting the community’s desire to leverage our operating budget to address facility needs. The High School Greenhouse was completed through fundraising efforts.
