MONTICELLO - With a show of hands from a majority of the almost 30 people who attended the first informational meeting, Monticello school board members received a good indication of how the public might respond to the April 1 referendum.

The Monticello school board may ask for $2.415 million over six years in a non-recurring referendum on April 1.

A member of the audience asked if a straw poll could be taken, to determine whether those in attendance favored a one- or two-question referendum.

District Administrator Karen Ballin said an overwhelming majority of the people raised their hands in favor of a one-question referendum.

"With the number of individuals who showed up tonight, it showed me an even greater level of support for our schools," board President Ken Christen said. "Their enthusiasm and show of concern for the district makes me believe that they will support the referendum and support us - the board members."

Ballin was also encouraged by the turnout.

"This is a very tough issue to tackle and through these meetings we want the dialogue to continue," Ballin said. "Monticello residents showed their support and gave us good feedback. I feel good about it."

The informational meetings (another one is planned for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the high school band room) are planned to:

• Inform taxpayers about the research and planning that has taken place to prepare for the referendum;

• Invite questions, ideas and comments from the public before the final decisions are made;

• Continue the partnership with all of the district residents to provide a great education for Monticello students.

Ballin gave a brief overview of what is needed to run a school: transportation, facilities, instruction and miscellaneous services.

Then she presented a closer look with the specific needs school board members have identified for each area. For example, under transportation, the district needs to purchase three buses and a van. Ballin identified some options but "in the long run the other options cost us more."

Under staffing, Ballin underlined the districts commitment to keeping class sizes small, particularly in kindergarten through second grade.

With a projected $120,000 yearly shortfall this year, the budget would have to be reduced by $120,000 each year starting now if the referendum does not pass. The board members would have no choice but to reduce or eliminate non-core programs, such as physical education, art, vocal music, instrumental music, agriculture, business occupations, family and consumer economics, foreign language or industrial arts.

Ballin explained board members created a list of the district's needs for Carol Wirth of RBC Capital Markets, out of Milwaukee, who then translated them into a dollar amount and number of years for the referendum.

The needs include operating costs, salaries, text book replacements, and maintenance needs, including roof repair or replacement, three new buses, a van, a new HVAC system, gym floor, a garage replacement and computers.

Wirth explained the two options.

In the first option, all funds from the referendum would go to Fund 10, which can be used by law for either operational expenses or maintenance projects. Wirth said, assuming steady enrollment, a 4 percent tax base growth and state aid offset of 25 percent, the referendum would mean an average tax rate increase of $1.64 per $1,000 of equalized property value a year for three years. For the last three years of the referendum the impact will decrease. The referendum would end after six years, impacting taxpayers a total of $1,811,250 after subtracting state aid from the initial $2,415,000.

The second option consists of two questions on the ballot. The first question would ask for $785,000 in Fund 10 dollars over five years. The second question would ask for the authority to borrow up to $1,265,000 to be used exclusively for the purchase of technology, vehicles and maintenance over 10 budget years. The option increases the tax rate an average $1.26 per $1,000 of equalized valuation for three years, making the same assumptions as the first option.

Wirth stressed to the board members 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."

The board will decide on the dollar amount and length of the referendum at its Feb.13 meeting.