Click here for Drummond's Press Release for the Referendum Results!

RSVP to March Referendum Informational Sessions and Tours here

Three years ago, the Drummond Area School District (DASD), initiated a strategic planning process aimed at defining the District's values and establishing future goals. Following extensive engagement with the School Board, staff, and the community, a formalized plan was developed, highlighting three priorities: stabilizing district operations and infrastructure, enhancing teaching and learning in trades, careers, and life skills, and improving student outcomes.

Subsequently, the District embarked on the master planning process, with the objective of involving the community in crafting a comprehensive solution that prioritizes students, addresses immediate facility needs, and aligns with taxpayers' feedback. 

On April 2, residents of the Drummond Area School District will have the opportunity to vote on two referendum questions designed to stabilize operations and infrastructure, expand access to hands-on programs, and impact every student. 

This comprehensive plan will impact EVERY STUDENT, maintain current programming, provide hands-on learning opportunities and create a “like new” environment by preserving our school building for at least another 30 years

Question 1: asks for authorization to exceed the revenue limit by $1,200,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 school year for:  

• Current programs and services for students 
• Maintain smaller class sizes, especially at the elementary levels. (approximately 18:1 student to teacher ratio) 
• Course offerings (i.e., career and tech ed, agriculture, fine arts, foreign language, and more)

Question 2: asks for authorization to borrow $29,980,000 for a district-wide school building and facility improvement project, including:  

• CTE/ Tech Ed addition and remodel to provide hands-on learning opportunities in trades, careers and life skills, including welding, automotive, and graphic design. 
• HVAC and Electrical system upgrades and replacement 
• Exterior building envelope repair and site repair to prevent flooding 
• Remodel areas throughout the building to update the educational spaces and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - restrooms included 
• Relocation of main entrance to create an ADA accessible, secure entrance to control visitor access.

If approved by voters, the referendums will address significant needs within the District, which cannot be addressed within the District’s annual budget.

The two questions on the April 2, 2024 ballot use two different funding sources. According to state law, authority to exceed the revenue limit for operations (Question 1) and borrowing money for a capital referendum (Question 2) cannot be combined; voters must respond to each question independently. 

Challenges/ Needs: 

• Additional operational funding to maintain current academic programming and co-curricular activities. 
• Additional funding to invest in infrastructure, maintenance and educational space updates. 
• • Building security should be improved to better control and monitor visitor access. 
  • Sections of the building are not energy efficient (including HVAC units, windows, lights and insulation). 
  • Much of our plumbing is nearly 40 years old, and restrooms need to be updated. 
  • Building exterior (stucco/brickwork) needs to be repaired/replaced.  
  • Drainage systems need to be replaced, and the site needs to be regraded to prevent water from pooling near the foundation.  
  • Areas do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) codes.  
  • Some spaces are underutilized and do not have an efficient layout. 
  • Floors, doors, ceilings, cabinets, and other internal finishes are worn out.  
  • Parking lots and sidewalks need to be repaired/replaced, especially those that are still gravel.

The office relocation will increase safety and accessibility, establishing one ADA compliant, secure entrance that allows us to control visitor access, adjacent to the parking lot. The relocation also allows us to reconfigure our traffic patterns by separating bus and vehicular traffic, enhancing pedestrian safety.