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It may cost nearly twice as much for Onalaska schools to maintain current services after 2010, according to school Superintendent John Burnett.
Discussing issues at a school board development session Monday, Burnett said the next Onalaska school referendum may have to ask for a $900,000 override just to keep school programs the same.
The 2006 referendum OK’d by voters gave the schools an additional $500,000 each year just to maintain the status quo plus another $500,000 for capital improvements.
There is little question there will be a need for another referendum to help finance schools because Wisconsin law limits how much school districts may raise taxes each year.
Burnett said capital improvements would dry up without voters again approving extra money — and that means text books as well as roofing-type items.
Board members agreed they must keep in contact with district residents so the value of good schools is understood.
“They must know schools are not an expense but a revenue producing agency,” board member Florence Hyatt said. She explained educating kids generates income when those students use their education. The alternative, Hyatt said, is the expense of policing, courts and crime.
Board member Brian Haefs suggested it would be a bad time to ask voters for more money.
“The economy is bad and people are not making money, and it could still be worse,” Haefs said.
Burnett said his goal is to keep Onalaska schools in good shape.
“Our programs need to stay intact and we need to focus on teachers, class size and our curriculum,” Burnett said. “If we must, we could let (capital expenditures) go for a year or two.”
No votes are taken at development meetings and any action on a referendum would not come for months.
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Hank wrote on Jun 18, 2009 3:30 AM: