BRODHEAD - A group of about 15 residents came to the Brodhead Public Library Monday to meet with a representative of a state group to encourage people to vote against the school district's April 6 referendum.
The referendum will allow the district to exceed state-mandated revenue caps for the next three years.
Dwight Brass, Beloit, who is a member of the group, Citizens Allied for Responsible Education, said he wanted to talk to Brodhead residents because he's concerned about education and the referendums.
Brass said one of the things he wanted to do was help start a recall election for the three newest Brodhead school board members. He said a recall election could be ready as early as April 6 if enough people sign petitions. Brass called the recall proposal a "recount election."
As someone who worked with finances in both the public and private sector, Brass said, he sees problems with area schools.
"They need to divulge more information," he said.
The problem is, however, districts don't know as much about education costs as they should.
"They (district business managers) don't know what it costs to educate a child," he said. "The board members don't have an informed decision."
Brass suggested schools operate as businesses. The schools wouldn't make money, he added, but they should be run as a business.
If, for example, a new roof is needed in 20 years, the district should set aside money each year to cover the cost. The same would be true for buses, computers and other equipment. When asked by someone in the audience if the district could legally do that, Brass said he wasn't sure, and would have to check state statutes.
"They (school districts) need to tell people what they're doing so they can see what's being done with their money," he said.
Brass also criticized the number of elective classes offered at schools, although he said he didn't know how many electives are offered by Brodhead.
"Kids need core classes," he said. "You can't have children driven education."
Before he left the meeting early, Brodhead Middle School Principal Charles Urness told Brass he disagreed with him.
"I don't think you have the knowledge to talk about what you're talking about today," Urness said. "This is all second guessing. What you want is to talk to people who are one-sided on this issue."
Of the approximately 15 people who attended the meeting, several were school district employees.
The referendum will allow the district to exceed state-mandated revenue caps for the next three years.
Dwight Brass, Beloit, who is a member of the group, Citizens Allied for Responsible Education, said he wanted to talk to Brodhead residents because he's concerned about education and the referendums.
Brass said one of the things he wanted to do was help start a recall election for the three newest Brodhead school board members. He said a recall election could be ready as early as April 6 if enough people sign petitions. Brass called the recall proposal a "recount election."
As someone who worked with finances in both the public and private sector, Brass said, he sees problems with area schools.
"They need to divulge more information," he said.
The problem is, however, districts don't know as much about education costs as they should.
"They (district business managers) don't know what it costs to educate a child," he said. "The board members don't have an informed decision."
Brass suggested schools operate as businesses. The schools wouldn't make money, he added, but they should be run as a business.
If, for example, a new roof is needed in 20 years, the district should set aside money each year to cover the cost. The same would be true for buses, computers and other equipment. When asked by someone in the audience if the district could legally do that, Brass said he wasn't sure, and would have to check state statutes.
"They (school districts) need to tell people what they're doing so they can see what's being done with their money," he said.
Brass also criticized the number of elective classes offered at schools, although he said he didn't know how many electives are offered by Brodhead.
"Kids need core classes," he said. "You can't have children driven education."
Before he left the meeting early, Brodhead Middle School Principal Charles Urness told Brass he disagreed with him.
"I don't think you have the knowledge to talk about what you're talking about today," Urness said. "This is all second guessing. What you want is to talk to people who are one-sided on this issue."
Of the approximately 15 people who attended the meeting, several were school district employees.