5-9-17 fdl school board approves facilities study

The Fond du Lac School Board has taken the first step toward a major building referendum, and one board member says the district needs to be more transparent in the process.   At their meeting Monday night the board voted six to one to allow the district to hire Bray Architects and CD Smith Construction to conduct a study of district buildings.  Superintendent Dr. Jim Sebert says it’s a process that could eventually lead to a referendum.  “Very likely could be,”  Sebert told WFDL news.  “This would be the first step determining whether or not we potentially get there.”   Sebert says while school district buildings have been well maintained over the years they are aging.  Board member Peggy  Breister says she voted against the resolution not because she is opposed to a study, but because she is concerned that the district should have come to the board first before deciding the firms that would be involved.  “I think the board should have some input on what processes we’re going to do.  This is a process that could take us to referendum and we’re talking about a great deal of money and I think there needs to be some openeness and transparency in the process,”  Breister said.   As part of the contract if the board decides to go to referendum CD Smith would be hired as construction manager.