38.14(15)(15) Scholarships. The district board may use funds received from participation in an auction of digital broadcast spectrum administered by the federal communications commission to provide scholarships that cover the fees established under s. 38.24 (1m) for students who meet eligibility criteria established by the district board.

38.14 AnnotationA vocational, technical and adult education (technical college) district has authority to purchase buildings for administration purposes or student dormitory housing, and in doing so would not violate the constitutional ban on works of internal improvement. 60 Atty. Gen. 231.

38.14538.145 Responsibilities of students. The students of each district, subject to the responsibilities and powers of the board, the state director, the district board, the district director and the faculty, shall be active participants in the immediate governance of and policy development for the district and may participate in all matters affecting student interests to the extent not in conflict with the terms of any collective bargaining agreement. As such, students have primary responsibility for the formulation and review of policies concerning student life and services. Students in consultation with the district director and subject to the final confirmation of the district board have the responsibility for the disposition of student activity and incidental fees under s. 38.14 (9). The students of each district may organize themselves in a manner that they determine and select their representatives to participate in district governance. This section does not prohibit the board, the state director, the district board, the district director or the faculty from selecting students to participate in district governance but any students selected by those bodies or persons shall not be considered to be representatives of the students for the purposes of the students’ right to select their representatives to participate in district governance.

38.15(1)(1) Subject to subs. (3) and (4), if the district board intends to make a capital expenditure in excess of $1,500,000, excluding moneys received from gifts, grants or federal funds, for the acquisition of sites, purchase or construction of buildings, the lease/purchase of buildings if costs exceed $1,500,000 for the lifetime of the lease, building additions or enlargements or the purchase of fixed equipment relating to any such activity, it shall adopt a resolution stating its intention to do so and identifying the anticipated source of revenue for each project and shall submit the resolution to the electors of the district for approval. The referendum shall be noticed, called and conducted as provided in s. 67.05 (3) insofar as applicable. For the purposes of this section, all projects located on a single campus site within one district which are bid concurrently or which are approved by the board under s. 38.04 (10) within a 2-year period shall be considered as one capital expenditure project.

38.15(2)(2) No more than $1,000,000 in reserve funds, consisting of property tax revenues and investment earnings on those revenues, may be utilized by the district board to finance capital expenditures in excess of $1,500,000 for the purposes under sub. (1).

38.15(3)(3) This section does not apply to any of the following:

38.15(3)(e)(e) That portion of a capital expenditure funded with student housing payments for the purchase or construction, or the lease/purchase, of a student residence facility if the district board uses no revenue derived from its tax levy under s. 38.16, state aid received under s. 38.28, or fees and tuition collected under s. 38.24, for the purchase or construction, or the lease/purchase, of the student residence facility.

38.15(4)(4) A district board may make a capital expenditure in excess of $1,500,000, but not more than $2,500,000, excluding moneys received from gifts, grants, or federal funds, for a purpose specified in sub. (1), without submitting a resolution to the electors of the district for approval, if the district board receives an equal amount of federal funds for the project. If a district board makes such a capital expenditure, the limit on capital expenditures for the same project in the succeeding 2-year period under sub. (1) is reduced by the amount expended under this subsection that exceeded that limit. The limitation on the use of reserve funds under sub. (2) does not apply to a capital expenditure made under this subsection.

38.15(6)(6) For a building acquired as a result of a lease under s. 38.14 (2) (d) 2., the purchase price is a capital expenditure under sub. (1) in the fiscal year commencing on the 2nd July 1 following the acquisition of the building.

38.15 AnnotationThis section requires approval by referendum of a general building plan and the source of funding, not a specific project proposal that is definite as to cost, location, and campus configuration. Ball v. District No. 4, Area Board, 117 Wis. 2d 529, 345 N.W.2d 389 (1984).

38.16(1)(1) Annually by October 31, or within 10 days after receipt of the equalized valuations from the department of revenue, whichever is later, the district board may levy a tax on the full value of the taxable property of the district for the purposes of making capital improvements, acquiring equipment, operating and maintaining the schools of the district, and paying principal and interest on valid bonds or notes now or hereafter outstanding as provided in s. 67.035. The district board secretary shall file with the clerk of each city, village and town, any part of which is located in the district, a certified statement showing the amount of the levy and the proportionate amount of the tax to be spread upon the tax rolls for collection in each city, village and town. Such proportion shall be ascertained on the basis of the ratio of full value of the taxable property of that part of the city, village or town located in the district to the full value of all taxable property in the district, as certified to the district board secretary by the department of revenue. Upon receipt of the certified statement from the district board secretary, the clerk of each city, village and town shall spread the amounts thereof upon the tax rolls for collection. When the taxes are collected, such amounts shall be paid by the treasurer of each city, village and town to the district board treasurer.

38.16(2)(2) The district board may borrow money and levy taxes to be used for the purchase or construction of buildings and for additions, enlargements and improvements to buildings and for the acquisition of sites and equipment. In financing activities under this subsection, the district may issue its bonds or promissory notes under ch. 67 to pay the cost thereof.