What's at Stake
District Administrator Karen Ballin reviewed Monday what a yes vote on the referendum means:
• Purchase of vehicles to ensure reliable, safe transportation of students
• Planned maintenance and facility updates rather than reacting to emergencies
• Updated textbooks
• Technology upgrades to provide students with the tools they need to compete in today's world
• Continuation of a strong academic program that offers students individual attention, choices and the skills they will need to succeed after graduation
• The district will sustain current programs and services
And what a no vote means:
• The district will not be able to purchase vehicles but will have to enter into a more costly option of leasing. Funds to make lease payments would have to come from other areas of the budget.
• No roofing, HVAC, flooring or other maintenance upgrades to keep up facilities we are proud of
• No updated textbooks
• No technology upgrades
• Cuts to the academic program and diminished opportunities for students
MONTICELLO - Twenty-eight dollars a month for the owner of a $200,000 home is what the members of the Monticello school board want the public to know and understand before 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.
"This is what it will cost them to support their schools," School Board President Ken Christen said at Monday's informational meeting. "If you are talking with neighbors and friends, explain to them that the referendum means $28 a month for a $200,000 home."
The school portion of taxes would increase about 14 cents a month for each $1,000 of home value. That equates to $28 a month, or about $336 a year, for a $200,000 home.
About 20 residents attended the second informational meeting Monday night.
"With the number of individuals that showed up at the first meeting and tonight it showed me an even greater level of support for our schools," Christen said. "The questions they were asking are right in line with what we've been asking ourselves as a board."
District Administrator Karen 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 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."
Ballin said fuel costs for transportation are twice what they were five years ago.
Under staffing, Ballin underlined the district's commitment to keeping class sizes small, particularly in kindergarten through second grade. With the projected $120,000 yearly shortfall this year, the budget would have to be reduced by $120,000 each year starting this school year if the referendum does not pass.
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.
If the budget fails, the district would only be able to react to emergencies until the fund balance is depleted instead of planning for the future.
"Let me tell you that this alternative of depleting the fund balance is a recipe for disaster," Ballin said.
Board member Randall Smith pointed out that if the board is forced to cut some of the extracurricular programs, because of the open enrollment option, students will go to other districts that do offer the programs.
A resident added that if the extracurricular programs are cut, studies show that it leads to depression in students and to kids getting into trouble.
"The school is the heart of the community," he commented. "Without a school, a community loses its identity."
The district is exploring two options for its referendum.
Carol Wirth and Daniel Pecanac of RBC Capital Markets of Milwaukee, explained the two options being considered by the board members.
In the first option, all funds from the referendum would go to Fund 10, which by law can be used 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 six 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 $1000 of equalized valuation for three years, making the same assumptions as the first option.
One question was raised about the possibility of applying for grants.
"That arena is much more competitive now, grants are drying up, and they're just not as abundant as they used to be," Ballin said. "But believe me, I'm out researching and applying for everything."
The board will decide on the dollar amount, length of the referendum and the type of question at its Feb. 13 meeting.
The Monticello school board may ask for $2.415 million over six years in a non-recurring referendum on April 1.
"This is what it will cost them to support their schools," School Board President Ken Christen said at Monday's informational meeting. "If you are talking with neighbors and friends, explain to them that the referendum means $28 a month for a $200,000 home."
The school portion of taxes would increase about 14 cents a month for each $1,000 of home value. That equates to $28 a month, or about $336 a year, for a $200,000 home.
About 20 residents attended the second informational meeting Monday night.
"With the number of individuals that showed up at the first meeting and tonight it showed me an even greater level of support for our schools," Christen said. "The questions they were asking are right in line with what we've been asking ourselves as a board."
District Administrator Karen 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 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."
Ballin said fuel costs for transportation are twice what they were five years ago.
Under staffing, Ballin underlined the district's commitment to keeping class sizes small, particularly in kindergarten through second grade. With the projected $120,000 yearly shortfall this year, the budget would have to be reduced by $120,000 each year starting this school year if the referendum does not pass.
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.
If the budget fails, the district would only be able to react to emergencies until the fund balance is depleted instead of planning for the future.
"Let me tell you that this alternative of depleting the fund balance is a recipe for disaster," Ballin said.
Board member Randall Smith pointed out that if the board is forced to cut some of the extracurricular programs, because of the open enrollment option, students will go to other districts that do offer the programs.
A resident added that if the extracurricular programs are cut, studies show that it leads to depression in students and to kids getting into trouble.
"The school is the heart of the community," he commented. "Without a school, a community loses its identity."
The district is exploring two options for its referendum.
Carol Wirth and Daniel Pecanac of RBC Capital Markets of Milwaukee, explained the two options being considered by the board members.
In the first option, all funds from the referendum would go to Fund 10, which by law can be used 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 six 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 $1000 of equalized valuation for three years, making the same assumptions as the first option.
One question was raised about the possibility of applying for grants.
"That arena is much more competitive now, grants are drying up, and they're just not as abundant as they used to be," Ballin said. "But believe me, I'm out researching and applying for everything."
The board will decide on the dollar amount, length of the referendum and the type of question at its Feb. 13 meeting.