MONTICELLO - The Vote Yes group came to Thursday's informational session about the April 1 Monticello school referendum hoping to drum up support for a positive vote.
The Monticello school board is asking to exceed the revenue limit by $305,000 for the 2008-2009 school year; $390,000 for the 2009-2010 school year; and by $430,000 for the 2010-2011 through 2013-2014 school years in a non-recurring referendum on April 1.
Purposes include ongoing operational expenses, updating text books, vehicles, computer equipment, replacing the storage garage and maintenance and repair project including roofing, HVAC systems and flooring.
District Administrator Karen Ballin emphasized to attendees that the referendum is very important to the future of the school district and that the "community as a whole has been very supportive of the school district in past referendums."
"We are doing everything in our power to educate the public," Ballin said. "It's in our best interest to do so."
Carol Wirth of RBC Capital Markets explained how to calculate individual tax impact.
The annual tax levy impact for the referendum is calculated as a tax rate per $1,000 of full market value. The rate would increase $1.64 per $1,000 of home value beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and ending with the 2013-2014 school year.
"The tax rate impact is for the referendum question being voted upon on April 1, and not the district's entire operating budget," Wirth said.
Wirth stressed again to the board members and to those in attendance the importance of educating the public before the referendum.
"The whole idea of a referendum is to get people educated and give the board direction on what to do," Wirth said. "There is no such thing as a failed referendum - a referendum gives direction."
"We received really good public guidance from the first and second informational meetings," Ballin said. She added that one thing that she wants the residents to know is that the board members are not going to spend all of this money right away and all projects will be up for discussion by the board members and the residents of the school district.
The board members will be sending information out to all families within the district and Ballin encourages any residents within the school district to call her or one of the school board members with any questions.
The Monticello school board is asking to exceed the revenue limit by $305,000 for the 2008-2009 school year; $390,000 for the 2009-2010 school year; and by $430,000 for the 2010-2011 through 2013-2014 school years in a non-recurring referendum on April 1.
Purposes include ongoing operational expenses, updating text books, vehicles, computer equipment, replacing the storage garage and maintenance and repair project including roofing, HVAC systems and flooring.
District Administrator Karen Ballin emphasized to attendees that the referendum is very important to the future of the school district and that the "community as a whole has been very supportive of the school district in past referendums."
"We are doing everything in our power to educate the public," Ballin said. "It's in our best interest to do so."
Carol Wirth of RBC Capital Markets explained how to calculate individual tax impact.
The annual tax levy impact for the referendum is calculated as a tax rate per $1,000 of full market value. The rate would increase $1.64 per $1,000 of home value beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and ending with the 2013-2014 school year.
"The tax rate impact is for the referendum question being voted upon on April 1, and not the district's entire operating budget," Wirth said.
Wirth stressed again to the board members and to those in attendance the importance of educating the public before the referendum.
"The whole idea of a referendum is to get people educated and give the board direction on what to do," Wirth said. "There is no such thing as a failed referendum - a referendum gives direction."
"We received really good public guidance from the first and second informational meetings," Ballin said. She added that one thing that she wants the residents to know is that the board members are not going to spend all of this money right away and all projects will be up for discussion by the board members and the residents of the school district.
The board members will be sending information out to all families within the district and Ballin encourages any residents within the school district to call her or one of the school board members with any questions.