MONROE - Voters in the Monroe School District rejected a four-year $8 million non-recurring referendum Tuesday.
The referendum was rejected with 2,593 or 59.3 percent voting against it and 1,780 or 40.7 voting in support of it.
"I think we have had a strong message as far as the community meetings and as far as the money taxpayers have given us," Monroe School District Superintendent Larry Brown said. "We know it's been a difficult time with finances. We respect the decision and we will carry on."
Carrying on is expected to include a three-year reduction plan that includes staffing cuts. The district is expected to slash the technology budget by $200,000 for next year and cut the maintenance budget by $100,000. The other reductions expected for 2011-12 include one elementary teacher, one middle level teacher, 2.4 high school teachers, two virtual school teachers, four instructional aides, one interpreter, one secretary, 2.5 custodial staff, the elementary gifted and talented coordination and middle school ninth hour after school instruction and homework assistance.
School district officials will meet today to evaluate the decision and canvass the results.
"The cuts may be deeper than that first list," Brown said. "We will evaluate it, look at ways we can save money and maintain programs."
The district has projected a deficit of $1.6 million for 2011-12. Without a referendum, the district is projected to have deficits of about $2.3 million in the 2012-13 year; $3 million in 2013-14 school year; and $3.6 million in the 2014-15.
The other challenge for district officials is Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget that cuts state aid to school districts by about $900 million, and reduces school districts revenue limits by 5.5 percent, which prevents schools from using property taxes to make up the difference. The Monroe School Board approved a two-year contract extension with the Monroe Education Association that will keep teachers under contract until June 30, 2013. The contract extension includes a two-year freeze on the teacher salary schedule and step increases for additional years of experience. In the contract extension, teachers will be required to pay 12.6 percent of their health insurance premiums and 50 percent of the required contribution to the Wisconsin Retirement System.
Brown and Monroe School District Business Manager Ron Olson have said the freeze on the salary schedule, steps, the increased contribution percentage changes for health care premiums and retirement will save the district a minimum of $1.4 million in the first year and $1.85 million in the second year of the extension. District officials said that will help Monroe plug the deficit in a state aid reduction.
The district has pledged to make $494,652 in cuts in the 2011-12 school year - regardless of whether the referendum was approved. With retirements, the district could cut as much as $557,090. Officials also approved cuts of 5 percent, or $24,500, to co-curricular activities at the high school.
Brown said he hopes to know by the end of April or May on Walker's budget.
The school board also could decide to place another referendum question on the ballot next year. Brown said that is a decision the board will have to make.
The referendum was rejected with 2,593 or 59.3 percent voting against it and 1,780 or 40.7 voting in support of it.
"I think we have had a strong message as far as the community meetings and as far as the money taxpayers have given us," Monroe School District Superintendent Larry Brown said. "We know it's been a difficult time with finances. We respect the decision and we will carry on."
Carrying on is expected to include a three-year reduction plan that includes staffing cuts. The district is expected to slash the technology budget by $200,000 for next year and cut the maintenance budget by $100,000. The other reductions expected for 2011-12 include one elementary teacher, one middle level teacher, 2.4 high school teachers, two virtual school teachers, four instructional aides, one interpreter, one secretary, 2.5 custodial staff, the elementary gifted and talented coordination and middle school ninth hour after school instruction and homework assistance.
School district officials will meet today to evaluate the decision and canvass the results.
"The cuts may be deeper than that first list," Brown said. "We will evaluate it, look at ways we can save money and maintain programs."
The district has projected a deficit of $1.6 million for 2011-12. Without a referendum, the district is projected to have deficits of about $2.3 million in the 2012-13 year; $3 million in 2013-14 school year; and $3.6 million in the 2014-15.
The other challenge for district officials is Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget that cuts state aid to school districts by about $900 million, and reduces school districts revenue limits by 5.5 percent, which prevents schools from using property taxes to make up the difference. The Monroe School Board approved a two-year contract extension with the Monroe Education Association that will keep teachers under contract until June 30, 2013. The contract extension includes a two-year freeze on the teacher salary schedule and step increases for additional years of experience. In the contract extension, teachers will be required to pay 12.6 percent of their health insurance premiums and 50 percent of the required contribution to the Wisconsin Retirement System.
Brown and Monroe School District Business Manager Ron Olson have said the freeze on the salary schedule, steps, the increased contribution percentage changes for health care premiums and retirement will save the district a minimum of $1.4 million in the first year and $1.85 million in the second year of the extension. District officials said that will help Monroe plug the deficit in a state aid reduction.
The district has pledged to make $494,652 in cuts in the 2011-12 school year - regardless of whether the referendum was approved. With retirements, the district could cut as much as $557,090. Officials also approved cuts of 5 percent, or $24,500, to co-curricular activities at the high school.
Brown said he hopes to know by the end of April or May on Walker's budget.
The school board also could decide to place another referendum question on the ballot next year. Brown said that is a decision the board will have to make.