The district expects to cover the added cost with an estimated $24 million in interest earned on referendum funds and anticipated tax credits tied to energy-efficient building designs. Most construction projects underway are also under budget, referendum project overseer Scott Chehak told the School Board on Monday, citing lower-than-expected costs for steel and other materials.

“We feel very confident … that this is a comfortable decision for us,” Chehak said.

The original plan called for new buildings for eight schools and renovations at Anana and Crestwood. Those renovations were expected to extend the schools’ useful lives by about 25 years. Rebuilding them with the available funds is projected to extend their lifespans to roughly 70 years, Chehak said.

Board Vice President Blair Mosner Feltham welcomed the change, saying the district could improve the schools without asking taxpayers for additional money.

The facilities referendum was approved by voters in 2024. The district also passed a separate $100 million operating referendum for expenses including teacher salaries. Together, the measures contributed to a property-tax increase of about 16% this year—an estimated $684 for the owner of an average Madison home valued at $481,300.

Construction on the first phase of referendum projects is expected to finish by the end of next summer. A new north-side building will serve Shabazz City High School and Sherman Middle School; another will house Black Hawk Middle School and Gompers Elementary School. The district broke ground this month on replacement buildings for Cherokee and Sennett middle schools, and construction for a building serving Toki Middle School and Orchard Ridge Elementary School is scheduled to begin in February.