SOUTH WAYNE - If voters don't approve a recurring referendum in April, it's possible they won't have a school district of their own in five years, according to Kerry Holland, Black Hawk school board president.
The school board meeting Wednesday was held to inform the public about the proposed $800,000 recurring referendum April 6, and to vote on approving the measure, which it did, unanimously.
Nine people attended the meeting in the high school library to learn about the district's plan.
If the voters fail to pass the referendum, the district then will propose a two-year, non-recurring referendum for $1.6 million in June.
If that fails to pass, the district will consider dissolving or consolidating with another school.
Holland said that could mean the Black Hawk school district will cease to exist.
Superintendent Charles McNulty said a recurring referendum is needed because the district lost about $360,000 in state aid this year and the 2010-11 school year deficit will be about $820,000.
"State aid reduction was a game changer for us," McNulty said. "We aren't the only district facing this problem."
In 2009, the revenue for the school district was about $4.5 million, he said. Expenses for the district were about $5.3 million. The district has made cuts to save money, McNulty said, but the cuts haven't been enough.
He said the board chose a recurring referendum because it made more sense from a financial point of view.
McNulty said the district would prefer a recurring referendum because a non-recurring referendum would allow the district to spend more money to cover expenses for the next couple of years, but when the time specified in the non-recurring referendum ends, the district is still at its base expense level.
For example, if residents vote for an $800,000 non-recurring referendum for the next three years, in three years the base revenue limit is still at $4.5 million. Another referendum would be needed to cover expenses, which will continue to increase.
In his presentation to voters, McNulty said the referendum would allow the district to continue upgrading its academic programs.
"We've already replaced math, kindergarten through eight-grade science, computer hardware and software for staff and students in high school science, reading and high school business," he said.
It will also prevent the district from consolidating with another district or dissolving, he said.
Holland said the board understands people are concerned about their taxes and a referendum. He said there are many people who no longer have children in the school district. But he said, the referendum needs to be done.
"We're trying to be as open and honest as we can," he said. "People may disagree with us but we want them to make an informed decision."
No future meetings about the referendum are planned, Holland said.
The school board meeting Wednesday was held to inform the public about the proposed $800,000 recurring referendum April 6, and to vote on approving the measure, which it did, unanimously.
Nine people attended the meeting in the high school library to learn about the district's plan.
If the voters fail to pass the referendum, the district then will propose a two-year, non-recurring referendum for $1.6 million in June.
If that fails to pass, the district will consider dissolving or consolidating with another school.
Holland said that could mean the Black Hawk school district will cease to exist.
Superintendent Charles McNulty said a recurring referendum is needed because the district lost about $360,000 in state aid this year and the 2010-11 school year deficit will be about $820,000.
"State aid reduction was a game changer for us," McNulty said. "We aren't the only district facing this problem."
In 2009, the revenue for the school district was about $4.5 million, he said. Expenses for the district were about $5.3 million. The district has made cuts to save money, McNulty said, but the cuts haven't been enough.
He said the board chose a recurring referendum because it made more sense from a financial point of view.
McNulty said the district would prefer a recurring referendum because a non-recurring referendum would allow the district to spend more money to cover expenses for the next couple of years, but when the time specified in the non-recurring referendum ends, the district is still at its base expense level.
For example, if residents vote for an $800,000 non-recurring referendum for the next three years, in three years the base revenue limit is still at $4.5 million. Another referendum would be needed to cover expenses, which will continue to increase.
In his presentation to voters, McNulty said the referendum would allow the district to continue upgrading its academic programs.
"We've already replaced math, kindergarten through eight-grade science, computer hardware and software for staff and students in high school science, reading and high school business," he said.
It will also prevent the district from consolidating with another district or dissolving, he said.
Holland said the board understands people are concerned about their taxes and a referendum. He said there are many people who no longer have children in the school district. But he said, the referendum needs to be done.
"We're trying to be as open and honest as we can," he said. "People may disagree with us but we want them to make an informed decision."
No future meetings about the referendum are planned, Holland said.