School measure may be stopgap, but future issues need careful study The sighs of relief are still sounding throughout the Stevens Point Area School District after voters approved a proposal to exceed the state limits on the property tax levy. Voters approved the measure rather resoundingly, by more than a 2-1 margin. The support comes after referendums for much-larger spending failed last November and May. Of course, the latest referendum also specifically identified what would be cut if it failed to pass. Tuesday's vote was a stop-gap measure to continue existing programs after the funding was affected by declining enrollment. Now the School Board needs to wait a bit and study the situation in the district before proceeding with future referendums. Many of the schools in the district need maintenance work because of the age of the buildings plus remodeling to reflect changes in education. The district needs to establish priorities and consider each project individually, not lumped together so that all schools get equal treatment. The community is changing. Consolidated Papers, one of the larger employers in the area, has been sold and Stora Enso, the purchaser, indicates there will be a number of employee reductions. Lands' End is building in the Portage County Business Park but its jobs won't match the wages of those being lost at Stora Enso. When the board decides to proceed again with a possible referendum, which hopefully won't be for a number of months, it should work with a committee consisting of community members to review any proposal. That committee should include retirees and others who don't have children in school or a vested interest in education. – Gene Kemmeter