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School Board supports '2 percent for kids' legislation

The Stevens Point Area Public School District Board passed a resolution, 6-2, supporting legislation to increase tax levies on a per pupil basis above the state limits by up to 2 percent when it met Monday, June 11.

The adjustment would give school boards the flexibility to raise revenue limits by approximately $148 per pupil. If the legislation does pass, and the school board approved an increase, the adjustment would come from the local tax levy and be outside the state's commitment to two-thirds funding.

Currently, the board is restricted to the state set revenue caps, which, combined with declining enrollment, has put the board in a position that it must either make cuts or get another referendum passed to deal with a projected $2-4 million budget shortfall in the 2002-2003 school year.

Many board members said they felt they were forced to approve the resolution because the state continues to mandate more programs and cut funding. "As long as the state continues to renege on funding mandated programs we need to look at options to fund our budget," board member Deb Wilz said.

However, board member Elmer Fournier said he voted against the resolution because he felt it was an attempt to circumvent the decision residents made by voting against past referendums.

The board also approved, 7-1, continuing to keep police liaison positions at the Junior High schools. The two positions had been funded through a federal grant, but the grant expires on June 30, 2002.

The school district and the Stevens Point Police Department will now split the funding 50-50. Each entity will pay approximately $66,000 per year to retain the positions. The officers have a number of duties at the schools including assisting with disruptive students, assisting with code react drills, making home visits to truant students and working with students on personal problems. "As a police officer, I believe this program helps us develop a rapport with our young people," said Stevens Point Police Chief Doug Carpenter.

Wilz said that even though she was concerned with budget issues, she believes the program is necessary. "Safety has got to be a top priority of ours. I absolutely support this. I don't care where we find the dollars, we just have to find them," she said.

"There is a very high level of support for this by the staff of the schools," Superintendent Emery Babcock said.

The approval is on a year-to-year basis though, so the positions will have to be re-approved for each school year.



	School Board supports '2 percent for kids' legislation The Stevens Point Area Public School District Board passed a resolution, 6-2, supporting legislation to increase tax levies on a per pupil basis above the state limits by up to 2 percent when it met Monday, June 11. The adjustment would give school boards the flexibility to raise revenue limits by approximately $148 per pupil. If the legislation does pass, and the school board approved an increase, the adjustment would come from the local tax levy and be outside the state's commitment to two-thirds funding. Currently, the board is restricted to the state set revenue caps, which, combined with declining enrollment, has put the board in a position that it must either make cuts or get another referendum passed to deal with a projected $2-4 million budget shortfall in the 2002-2003 school year. Many board members said they felt they were forced to approve the resolution because the state continues to mandate more programs and cut funding. "As long as the state continues to renege on funding mandated programs we need to look at options to fund our budget," board member Deb Wilz said. However, board member Elmer Fournier said he voted against the resolution because he felt it was an attempt to circumvent the decision residents made by voting against past referendums. The board also approved, 7-1, continuing to keep police liaison positions at the Junior High schools. The two positions had been funded through a federal grant, but the grant expires on June 30, 2002. The school district and the Stevens Point Police Department will now split the funding 50-50. Each entity will pay approximately $66,000 per year to retain the positions. The officers have a number of duties at the schools including assisting with disruptive students, assisting with code react drills, making home visits to truant students and working with students on personal problems. "As a police officer, I believe this program helps us develop a rapport with our young people," said Stevens Point Police Chief Doug Carpenter. Wilz said that even though she was concerned with budget issues, she believes the program is necessary. "Safety has got to be a top priority of ours. I absolutely support this. I don't care where we find the dollars, we just have to find them," she said. "There is a very high level of support for this by the staff of the schools," Superintendent Emery Babcock said. The approval is on a year-to-year basis though, so the positions will have to be re-approved for each school year.