January 25, 2016 at 4:08 p.m.
Low turnout at referendum talks worries officials
Attendance still sparse even after school board announces potential cuts
Low turnout at referendum talks worries officials
"I don't know what else to do or where else to go," Director of Business Services Marta Kwiatkowski said after a presentation Friday at Pelican Elementary School.
There were 11 people in the audience at that presentation, but 10 were teachers or district staff members.
A presentation Thursday afternoon at Northern Coffee Haus in downtown Rhinelander drew three people to hear Kwiatkowski speak and answer questions.
The district is seeking to exceed the revenue cap by $5 million a year for three years. This referendum will replace the present $4 million a year referendum which will expire in June.
The mill rate for the 2015-16 school year is currently set at $10.99 per $1,000 of Fair Market Value, or $1,099 in taxes on a home valued at $100,000.
If the February referendum passes the mill rate would increase by 43 cents to $11.42.
Therefore, if the referendum passes, the school district taxes on a $100,000 home would increase by $43 a year to $1,142.
Kwiatkowski said she has not received any phone calls or emails from the public asking for information since Jan. 18 when the school board approved a list of cuts to be made if the referendum fails.
The items facing elimination include all extra-curricular activities such as athletics, mock trial, band, and clubs. The board has also said it will close the district's two charter schools, reduce teaching staff at the middle and high schools by 10 full-time equivalents, cut two school counselors, and reduce music, art and physical education programs, among other cuts. The list of cuts totals $7,183,637 and Superintendent Kelli Jacobi has said she is all but certain everything on the list would be cut within two years if the referendum fails.
The administration has estimated that 200 students will leave the district and enroll in other schools if the referendum fails. This would result in a loss of funding totaling $1.3 million and trigger more cuts, school officials say.
According to Jacobi, the only time anyone has voiced opposition at any of the presentations was at a recent presentation at the Oneida Senior Center.
Jacobi told the school board last week the few people in the audience who were against the referendum were rude to the presenters, including a few high school students who were trying to address the crowd. As a result, students have not been allowed to take part in recent presentations.
The referendum is needed to make up for declining state aid the district is experiencing, district officials say.
This decline in aid has caused a $5.5 million budget shortfall.
"We're not asking the taxpayers to pay it all," Kwiatkowski said Friday.
Kwiatkowski and Jacobi have repeatedly said the cuts would cause a ripple effect that would be felt throughout the community.
It has been pointed out during the presentations that it is becoming increasingly difficult for area companies to attract potential workers to fill job vacancies, especially in the medical field.
It has also been pointed out that post-Act 10 teachers have more mobility to go where they will receive the best pay or compensation package.
"We try to be competitive in what we pay our teachers," Kwiatkowski said, adding that the low turnouts at the presentations is frustrating and she is concerned that some may be spreading inaccurate information.
"If people have questions, they can call either the superintendent or myself," Kwiatkowski said. "Or they can come to a presentation."
Two more presentations are scheduled before the vote. District officials will hold a presentation at 2 p.m. Feb. 2 at Northern Coffee Haus and at 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at the YMCA of the Northwoods.
All of the information being disseminated at the presentations can also be found on the district's website at www.rhinelander.k12.wi.us/district/referendum.cfm.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.