From Jennifer Amacher

Monroe

To the Editor:

There has been much discussion within our community regarding the recent referendum in which our community voted YES to building a new high school and making necessary repairs at Abe Lincoln Elementary — all to support our Monroe youth. I no longer have children in school, however I have been supportive of this great addition to our community. The idea of a new high has been an ongoing project for about 5 years. Throughout this process there have been studies conducted, surveys from the community and several meetings, etc. discussing the future for our district. A new school will offer improved tech ed programs, ensuring the high school is ADA compliant, ensuring students and staff have a safe learning environment free of mold and other structure deficits, as well as an improved sports complex on one location that can be used for competition, but to also generate revenue by hosting tournaments, regional or sectional events.

The district is now at a stage to move forward and make this long-standing idea a reality, but is now receiving backlash from some property owners in the district as their taxes did not reflect their understanding of the financial impact of the referendum. The reality is that what the district representatives advertised to promote the referendum was not necessarily wrong, but that many in the State of WI had an unusual and unprecedented increase to their fair market value of their property. The district does not control the fair market value.

Where are we now? We are in a position in the community where a lawsuit has been filed against the Monroe School District and School Board by a select group, several who continue to support the goal of the referendum and a district wanting to pursue forward and make responsible fiscal choices for this needed project. (If you ever question the actual need for a new school, please contact the district for more information.) The cost to tax-payers will only increase if this project is put on hold and with the addition of extra legal fees as the result of this lawsuit.

There will be a special meeting of the electors on March 8 at 7 p.m. at Monroe High School to proceed with a land purchase and move forward with this amazing project. I encourage you to support our district and vote YES to proceed with the land purchase.