If you go ...
What: Community meetings on school referendum
When and where: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Parkside Elementary School library and 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at Monroe Public Library, second floor
MONROE - Informational talks with community groups about the Monroe school referendum have been going well so far, according to school administrators, who are planning two more community meetings this month.
"Those are going well, lots of good questions from the community, and we're just trying to make ourselves available to answer any questions that people might have," said Joe Monroe, the school district's director of pupil services, at Monday's school board meeting.
He, Business Administrator Ron Olson and others representing the district have given presentations for the Monroe Morning Optimists, Kiwanis, two parent-teacher groups and school staff, Olson said.
District residents will vote Nov. 8 on whether to allow the district to exceed its revenue limit by $1.5 million per year for three years for operating expenses and/or $460,000 per year for three years for safety and maintenance projects. If approved, the measures would be added to the school tax levy.
When asked if the talks have produced any common themes, board president Bob Erb said, "'How can we convince our legislature to do something about this school funding' - that's the theme."
He said he's also been hearing general support for the referendum from community members attending the presentations. Pointing to ongoing news about the state legislature and that all districts in Green County but Monroe have passed operating referendums in recent years, Erb said no one's surprised that Monroe is pursuing its own.
"This isn't like, 'oh my gosh, how did Monroe - you know - how did our budget get the way it is?' I mean, people understand now much, much different than they probably have in the past just because it's been just the recurring theme," he said.
Olson added that four or five people have told him funding for general infrastructure in the state needs to be addressed, including schools and roads.
But, Erb noted, they've been speaking to community service organizations which are made up of "community-minded people" and thus might be more supportive of school funding than the general public.
District officials are planning two community meetings for the general public. The first will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Parkside Elementary School library, and the second will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 18 on the second floor of the Monroe Public Library.
An informational brochure is also ready to be mailed out to district residents by early next week, Monroe said.
"Whether we like it or not, it's crunch time," he said. "We're feeling the pressure a little bit."
"Those are going well, lots of good questions from the community, and we're just trying to make ourselves available to answer any questions that people might have," said Joe Monroe, the school district's director of pupil services, at Monday's school board meeting.
He, Business Administrator Ron Olson and others representing the district have given presentations for the Monroe Morning Optimists, Kiwanis, two parent-teacher groups and school staff, Olson said.
District residents will vote Nov. 8 on whether to allow the district to exceed its revenue limit by $1.5 million per year for three years for operating expenses and/or $460,000 per year for three years for safety and maintenance projects. If approved, the measures would be added to the school tax levy.
When asked if the talks have produced any common themes, board president Bob Erb said, "'How can we convince our legislature to do something about this school funding' - that's the theme."
He said he's also been hearing general support for the referendum from community members attending the presentations. Pointing to ongoing news about the state legislature and that all districts in Green County but Monroe have passed operating referendums in recent years, Erb said no one's surprised that Monroe is pursuing its own.
"This isn't like, 'oh my gosh, how did Monroe - you know - how did our budget get the way it is?' I mean, people understand now much, much different than they probably have in the past just because it's been just the recurring theme," he said.
Olson added that four or five people have told him funding for general infrastructure in the state needs to be addressed, including schools and roads.
But, Erb noted, they've been speaking to community service organizations which are made up of "community-minded people" and thus might be more supportive of school funding than the general public.
District officials are planning two community meetings for the general public. The first will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Parkside Elementary School library, and the second will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 18 on the second floor of the Monroe Public Library.
An informational brochure is also ready to be mailed out to district residents by early next week, Monroe said.
"Whether we like it or not, it's crunch time," he said. "We're feeling the pressure a little bit."