NWTC explores $66.5 million referendum
Patti Zarling
Voters could be asked to support a $66.5 million borrowing plan for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in April.
The board of the two-year community college is considering a referendum asking to borrow the funds, which would be used to build new facilities and upgrade or add on to others to improve and expand programming. The moves would enhance the school's ability to train 21st century workers, administrators said.
The school, which serves the equivalent of 7,000 full-time students, is at capacity, President Jeffrey Rafn said. Changes are needed to support industries that need more trained workers, he said.
The preliminary plan calls for expansion at main campuses in Green Bay ($53.3 million), Marinette ($10 million) and Sturgeon Bay ($3 million).
Funds could be used to help expand, in part, manufacturing, information technology, digital arts, public safety, energy management and construction programs in Green Bay. Fabrication and health programs could expand in Sturgeon Bay, as well as trades and engineering, information technology and health science programming in Marinette, according to Karen Smits, vice president of college advancement at NWTC.
NWTC last held a referendum — for about $46 million — in 2001, Smits said. Those funds were used, in part, to expand the school's business center and health science facilities.
Enrollment of full-time equivalent students has nearly doubled since then, she noted. And both the types of jobs, and training required for certain jobs, have evolved in the 14 years since.
"Labor demands have changed, and we have been changing, but we need to make other adjustments to meet 21st century workforce needs."
The school conducted a poll with St. Norbert College which found more than 70 percent approval for a proposed referendum, she said. A public forum would be held before final approval of a referendum moves forward.
The owner of a home valued at $150,000 would pay about $7.50 annually for 15 years to support the proposed referendum.
The NWTC district board will discuss a referendum again on Jan. 14, and could take a final vote Jan. 26.
NWTC has campuses in Green Bay, Marinette and Sturgeon Bay; five regional learning centers in Crivitz, Luxemburg, Niagara, Oconto Falls, and Shawano; and several additional sites.
— pzarling@pressgazettemedia.com or follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling