Inside look at GB schools referendum

GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Area Public School District opened the doors to the two middle schools listed on its $20 million spring referendum Tuesday.

The proposal includes renovations to Franklin and Washington middle schools, as well as four elementary schools: Tank, Nicolet, Fort Howard, and Chappell.

In Mr. Huisheere's math class at Franklin, things can run hot or cold.

It's very cold in the morning until about 7:30. By the time the kids roll in, it's ok, he said, in between an algebra lesson. In the fall and early spring it can get up to 80 or 90 unbearable degrees with no air conditioning. It's stifling.

The school district facility manager says that's because this boiler system is the original one from 1957.

It's a top priority on the referendum, along with HVAC systems at Washington Middle School, and 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, said Mike Stangel, the director of facilities for the district.

The district says the time has come to fix other things that are literally falling apart--or just inefficient, like windows.

Beyond heating and air conditioning systems 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.

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Inside look at GB schools referendum