Kaukauna school district approves purchase of 144 acres of land southwest of Kaukauna High School
KAUKAUNA - The Kaukauna school board approved the purchase of 144 acres of farmland in the town of Buchanan for $3.6 million — or $25,000 per acre — at a meeting Monday night.
The board unanimously approved the purchase after no discussion at this meeting.
The Kaukauna Area School District doesn't have specific plans on how it will use what's known as the Welhouse Farms property — adjacent to Kaukauna High School south of County CE with State 55 to the west. But a copy of the offer letter available on the board's online document platform says the property could be used to build a new school.
According to the letter, the offer was placed in late August, contingent on school board approval.
During a special meeting before the regular meeting, one district resident addressed the board saying he disapproved of the purchase. He raised concerns about the noise from Wisconsin International Raceway, which he said already disrupts events at the high school.
Instead, he said, he'd like the district to consider property at Countryside Golf Club.
At the regular meeting, the board also approved a resolution that would allow the district to use a future referendum to rebuild the funds in an account used to purchase the land. This doesn't guarantee there will be a referendum.
More: Menasha school district residents will vote on $99.7 million referendum in November
It will be up to the district to get the land rezoned, the offer letter says.
The district is still in early stages, so nothing is definite yet regarding a future referendum. If the land purchase goes as planned, a letter from Financial Officer Bob Schafer to the school board said much discussion would need to be held on one or multiple future referendums.
"Board action on purchasing land is the beginning of a long process which should involve as many outside sources as possible to create the best model for Kaukauna moving forward," the letter said.
More: Voters in the Appleton school district will see two referendum questions this November
The district brought a $32.9 million referendum to taxpayers in April 2019, but it failed. It was intended to fund safety and security upgrades at all schools, elementary school renovations and improvements at River View Middle School.
Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-370-8045. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Kaukauna school district to buy land at Welhouse Farms for new school
