By John Groh, SDSV Superintendent
SPRING VALLEY, WI – All electors of the School District of Spring Valley are encouraged to attend a special meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle-High School Library. Voters will decide on two questions: (1) whether to authorize the school board to purchase land, and if that passes, (2) whether to approve construction of a new transportation building (commonly called the “bus barn”) on that land. State law requires voter approval whenever a school district buys property. Meeting attendees will receive a full review of cost estimates and property pros/cons in a presentation that evening prior to voting.
On Wednesday, August 20, the school board formally scheduled this meeting of electors. Planning for a future bus barn, however, began well over a year ago. After voters approved the referendum on April 1, the district was able to move forward with site planning. Over the past four months, the board reviewed several possible locations for the new facility, including:
– School campus (north of the future track facility).
– The current bus barn site in downtown Spring Valley.
– Village Industrial Park.
– Privately owned land directly across County Road CC from the school campus.
Each option was studied by the board, school staff, and engineers from Nexus Solutions. One site emerged as the preferred choice.
Initially, the preferred location was on the school campus north of the future track. The downtown site was also considered, but it is too small to hold all buses and allow for maintenance, repairs, and washing. In addition, buses would need to back directly onto County Road B, creating traffic and safety concerns.
Since last fall, the district has held informal talks with the Village of Spring Valley about potential sites in the industrial park. As planning progressed, the Village indicated that its remaining lots were reserved for other purposes. At the same time, the district explored nearby private property. The owners of a parcel directly across County Road CC expressed interest in selling, and after reviewing costs and logistics, that site became the clear front-runner.
The parcel across County CC is 34.3 acres, with a purchase price of $250,000. This purchase would come from the district’s existing general fund—no additional taxes will be levied. Site preparation and construction will be funded through the referendum, but referendum dollars cannot be used to buy land. During negotiations, the seller noted that the price would be nearly the same whether the district purchased a smaller portion or the entire parcel.
Even after factoring in the land purchase, building across County CC would cost significantly less. Constructing on the school campus is estimated to be about $436,000 more expensive, largely because of added costs for road and utility access and extensive earthmoving due to uneven terrain.
The school board has a history of careful financial planning. In 2022, it adopted a 20-year outdoor facility plan to guide future projects. Seeking elector approval for this land purchase is part of that long-term vision. A bus barn close to campus will reduce costs and travel time, helping the district make the most of its resources for years to come.
If you have questions, please contact me at 715-778-3184 or grohj@springvalley.k12.wi.us. Additional information will be posted on the district website in the coming weeks. Please plan to attend the Special Meeting of Electors on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle-High School Library. A simple majority vote will determine the next steps for a future bus barn.
