BRODHEAD - Brodhead school district residents will decide Tuesday if the school district can exceed state-imposed revenue limits for the next four years.
The district is asking residents to increase the revenue limits by $635,000 in the 2010-11 school year; $810,000 in the 2011-12 school year; $855,000 in the 2012-12 school year; and $1,285,000 in the 2013-14 school year.
The tax rate for the school district this year was $8.45 per thousand dollars of equalized value.
Projected tax rates with the referendum during the next four years are $8.85 in 2010-11; $9.89 for 2011-12; $10.09 for 2012-13; and $10.73 for 2013-14.
For each of the past six years, the school board has cut $200,000 from the district budget, according to Brodhead Superintendent Charles Deery. Some of the cuts included teaching positions and programs such as Future Homemakers of America and Future Business leaders of America, a reduction in field trips, and delays in textbook purchases.
At public meetings to explain the need for the referendum, Deery has told residents that if the referendum doesn't pass, the district will have to make cuts in staff and programs, including sports.
Declining enrollment over the past three years is one of the reasons the district had to go to referendum, Deery explained at a public meeting Jan. 26.
In May, Brodhead will graduate between 100 and 115 students. Next fall, the district expects between 70 and 80 students to enter school.
Another reason for the referendum, according to Deery, is because expenses have continues to increase.
Revenue growth is limited to about 2.5 percent, while expenses have increased about 4 percent per year, Deery said.
In addition, Brodhead High School needs a new roof. The school was built in 1995 and the 15-year life of the roof is over. There are cracks and leaks in the roof and it needs to be replaced.
The district is asking residents to increase the revenue limits by $635,000 in the 2010-11 school year; $810,000 in the 2011-12 school year; $855,000 in the 2012-12 school year; and $1,285,000 in the 2013-14 school year.
The tax rate for the school district this year was $8.45 per thousand dollars of equalized value.
Projected tax rates with the referendum during the next four years are $8.85 in 2010-11; $9.89 for 2011-12; $10.09 for 2012-13; and $10.73 for 2013-14.
For each of the past six years, the school board has cut $200,000 from the district budget, according to Brodhead Superintendent Charles Deery. Some of the cuts included teaching positions and programs such as Future Homemakers of America and Future Business leaders of America, a reduction in field trips, and delays in textbook purchases.
At public meetings to explain the need for the referendum, Deery has told residents that if the referendum doesn't pass, the district will have to make cuts in staff and programs, including sports.
Declining enrollment over the past three years is one of the reasons the district had to go to referendum, Deery explained at a public meeting Jan. 26.
In May, Brodhead will graduate between 100 and 115 students. Next fall, the district expects between 70 and 80 students to enter school.
Another reason for the referendum, according to Deery, is because expenses have continues to increase.
Revenue growth is limited to about 2.5 percent, while expenses have increased about 4 percent per year, Deery said.
In addition, Brodhead High School needs a new roof. The school was built in 1995 and the 15-year life of the roof is over. There are cracks and leaks in the roof and it needs to be replaced.