MONROE The past couple of weeks Ive been busy with stories about the Brodhead School District referendum.
I attended a special public hearing to learn about the April 6 referendum, two school board meetings and a second public hearing Feb. 22.
At times the discussions were heated. People are obviously concerned when there is talk about a property tax increase.
Brodhead School board President Peggy Olsen said it was difficult for the board to ask for a referendum during tough economic times.
Supporters of the referendum need to remember that people who oppose a tax increase, of any size, havent come to their decision lightly, either. Many of the opponents have lost their jobs or fear losing their jobs. There are a few large employers in Brodhead that have scaled back and let people go. Even those with jobs are worried about the future. Many of the opponents of the referendum have already made sacrifices to save money.
The cost for every day items, such as gas and food, continue to increase.
People have said the referendum would mean one less meal at a restaurant every month. Well, for some people, it already costs too much money to eat out at a restaurant.
That doesnt mean that opponents of the referendum should vilify the school board, however.
Board members live in Brodhead, they belong to local organizations, they shop in town, they talk to people on the street or in church. These arent faceless politicians who rarely see their constituents. They havent squandered money foolishly. Theyve made decisions to cut spending and have tried to keep spending down.
They were elected to make those decisions. Anyone who wants to run for the Brodhead School Board should do so. I doubt there will be many people jumping at the chance, however.
Its hard for the public to understand what the school district is required to pay for because we dont go through the budget line by line. We could get a better idea of school finances if we attended the annual meetings, but those arent well attended. For whatever reason, district residents have other things to do than to sit through the annual meeting.
Brodhead residents, and residents in other school districts, need to get involved with their school districts before a referendum is needed.
I attended a special public hearing to learn about the April 6 referendum, two school board meetings and a second public hearing Feb. 22.
At times the discussions were heated. People are obviously concerned when there is talk about a property tax increase.
Brodhead School board President Peggy Olsen said it was difficult for the board to ask for a referendum during tough economic times.
Supporters of the referendum need to remember that people who oppose a tax increase, of any size, havent come to their decision lightly, either. Many of the opponents have lost their jobs or fear losing their jobs. There are a few large employers in Brodhead that have scaled back and let people go. Even those with jobs are worried about the future. Many of the opponents of the referendum have already made sacrifices to save money.
The cost for every day items, such as gas and food, continue to increase.
People have said the referendum would mean one less meal at a restaurant every month. Well, for some people, it already costs too much money to eat out at a restaurant.
That doesnt mean that opponents of the referendum should vilify the school board, however.
Board members live in Brodhead, they belong to local organizations, they shop in town, they talk to people on the street or in church. These arent faceless politicians who rarely see their constituents. They havent squandered money foolishly. Theyve made decisions to cut spending and have tried to keep spending down.
They were elected to make those decisions. Anyone who wants to run for the Brodhead School Board should do so. I doubt there will be many people jumping at the chance, however.
Its hard for the public to understand what the school district is required to pay for because we dont go through the budget line by line. We could get a better idea of school finances if we attended the annual meetings, but those arent well attended. For whatever reason, district residents have other things to do than to sit through the annual meeting.
Brodhead residents, and residents in other school districts, need to get involved with their school districts before a referendum is needed.
