SPRING VALLEY — April 1 voters showed their support for a pair of Spring Valley School District referendum questions, totaling $13.15 million. The questions included the construction of a bus transportation building, a running track and improvements and maintenance for the swimming pool.

“In general, I am really excited for our community,” District Administrator John Groh said. “The main reason is this was a community-driven plan from the very beginning.”

After failed referendum questions in April 2023, Spring Valley took to the community with surveys and meetings to see exactly what items they wanted to see in a referendum question and which they did not.

“It really helped us prioritize the projects,” Groh said. “Of a menu of many, many things that could have been done, we focused on the things the community said they support the most and we tried to keep the tax impact in a range the community said they would support.”

Groh thanked all staff members and community members who either contributed to the creation of the referendum questions, helped put information out or got the information and made an informed vote.

“It’s always hard to tax yourself and tell yourself you’re going to pay more, but they saw the value in the projects and saw the long-term benefits for Spring Valley,” Groh said.

Groh said the district is the only one of Spring Valley’s size in the state that they know of without a track.

“Our students for decades have been practicing in the parking lots, they’ve been running on the county road right outside our school,” Groh said. “We have been driving our kids at various times throughout the season to area districts like Glenwood City and Baldwin to use their track facilities so that our kids can practice relays and handoffs and running in lanes and jumping in pits.”

He said the district has a strong track program already, and they can reach new heights with the proper facilities. The track can also be used by community members and by physical education teachers for their classes. An example Groh gave was the Ellsworth track, where it is often used by the community including by his own family.

Larry Hoolihan coached the track team in the 1980s and 90s, and now all three of his children coach the team, so Groh is thrilled for the family. The track project was scaled back by the district due to community input, but features could change depending on donations and fundraising.

Without donations, the plan for the track is portable bleachers, no lights, concession stand or bathrooms. Grant funding could also lead the district to add some amenities.

“I think like every community probably has the same feeling about their school, but Spring Valley has stepped up for its children in so many ways,” Groh said. “If you drive downtown, there’s a Cardinal on every light post downtown. ‘Spring Valley pride is far and wide,’ that’s what it says on the banners. When I started working here I was struck by all the Cardinals.”

Other notable items from the referendum are the construction of a bus transportation center and maintenance and improvements to the pool. At the pool, Larson Valley Construction is donating 100% of labor and materials to re-roof the pool house and pump house because they knew it would help limit the referendum impact on the community, allowing dollars to be used elsewhere.

“They could have spent that money any way they wanted,” Groh said. “They’re giving back to the community.”

The referendum also covers internal processes like HVAC, electrical and security.

According to the district website, there is an expected tax increase of $115 per year for every $100,000 of property value.