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Two referendums carry $57 million price tag

By HEATHER CLARK
for The Gazette
New classrooms, technology, textbooks, even items like carpeting and faucet handles… all are needed in the Stevens Point Area Public School District, according to officials.

They come with a nearly $57 million price tag, and district residents will have a chance to decide if those and other upgrades, repairs and new staffing are worth the jump in taxes by checking a yes or no box for two referendum questions on the Nov. 2 ballot.

The questions for construction and operating costs if passed will raise residents' tax rates a total of about $1.64 per $1,000 equalized valuation at the highest point of the 20-year borrowing periods.

School Board members approved 8-1 Monday night each of two resolutions for the Nov. 2 referendum. One resolution asks for $54 million for constructing a new Alternative School, and to add to, remodel, improve and equip elementary and secondary schools in the district.

The second asks for $2.97 million to exceed revenue caps annually to upgrade and maintain facilities, purchase textbooks, acquire technology equipment, provide maintenance and custodial staff for new construction and make sure district programs aren't eliminated due to budget shortfalls.

Exact wording will be approved at the Sept. 13 board meeting.

The construction question does not include a new pool at Ben Franklin Junior High School (though that may be pursued through municipal government talks), a new auditorium at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School, or air conditioning for all district school buildings. The air conditioning may be put in through annual maintenance dollars provided in the question asking to exceed revenue caps.

Board member Ray Haas was in the minority on both motions. He preferred offering residents more questions and wanted to ask only for operating costs directly related to new construction in the question asking to exceed revenue caps.

"I'm not convinced that every program we have is essential," he said, addressing the operating costs question. "We're making a presupposition that any program cut is a cut in education… that you've decimated the whole education… and I'm not sure it is."

Should voters approve the construction question, the tax rate will increase 39 cents per $1,000 equalized valuation for this school year's budget, bringing the tax rate to $9.99 per $1,000.

Should voters pass the operating costs question with the construction question, the tax rate will rise an additional $1.25 per $1,000 for the 2000-2001 school year budget. That would bring the total tax rate to $11.24 per $1,000 that year, the highest it would be for the borrowing duration for both questions.

The exceeding revenue caps proposal includes $1.6 million annually for staffing and operating costs. Because all of that would not be needed the first year of borrowing, the district could then examine and most likely fund needs for next school year that may not be met - or may face elimination - in the regular budget process, said Bill Palmer, assistant superintendent for business affairs.

District officials have said next school year's budget faces a $1.3 million shortfall and the only way to balance the budget would be to cut programs and/or athletics.

"You wouldn't need the full amount for staffing the first year," Palmer said. "It would take about four years… As you phase it in… what this does, especially in the first year where we know we have problems… you would be left with $1.2 million to address that shortfall."

The anticipated cuts were based on a declining enrollment and all aid reimbursement remaining the same, Palmer said. Already, officials are expecting the governor to pass a biennial budget that would boost state dollars the district could receive for special education.

As the staffing, maintenance and operating portion of the $1.6 million annually rises to meet such demands, there would be fewer dollars to fund any budget shortfalls. But board members said they wouldn't mind going back to the public in three or four years asking for money to maintain programs and extracurricular activities.

"I think this is a reasonable step and (it) helps us cope," Mike O'Meara said. "I'm willing in three years to say my crystal ball wasn't that good… to go for another (referendum)."

Members of the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization and Parent-Teacher Association told board members not to back down.
"Parents expect the School Board to make sure the resources for their children … are there" throughout their schooling years, said Bill Hettler, Stevens Point. "I expect us to be darn good, and if we really explain it (the needs) to the public, I believe they'll agree.

"Quality schools add to a quality community," he said.



	Two referendums carry $57 million price tag By HEATHER CLARK for The Gazette New classrooms, technology, textbooks, even items like carpeting and faucet handles… all are needed in the Stevens Point Area Public School District, according to officials. They come with a nearly $57 million price tag, and district residents will have a chance to decide if those and other upgrades, repairs and new staffing are worth the jump in taxes by checking a yes or no box for two referendum questions on the Nov. 2 ballot. The questions for construction and operating costs if passed will raise residents' tax rates a total of about $1.64 per $1,000 equalized valuation at the highest point of the 20-year borrowing periods. School Board members approved 8-1 Monday night each of two resolutions for the Nov. 2 referendum. One resolution asks for $54 million for constructing a new Alternative School, and to add to, remodel, improve and equip elementary and secondary schools in the district. The second asks for $2.97 million to exceed revenue caps annually to upgrade and maintain facilities, purchase textbooks, acquire technology equipment, provide maintenance and custodial staff for new construction and make sure district programs aren't eliminated due to budget shortfalls. Exact wording will be approved at the Sept. 13 board meeting. The construction question does not include a new pool at Ben Franklin Junior High School (though that may be pursued through municipal government talks), a new auditorium at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School, or air conditioning for all district school buildings. The air conditioning may be put in through annual maintenance dollars provided in the question asking to exceed revenue caps. Board member Ray Haas was in the minority on both motions. He preferred offering residents more questions and wanted to ask only for operating costs directly related to new construction in the question asking to exceed revenue caps. "I'm not convinced that every program we have is essential," he said, addressing the operating costs question. "We're making a presupposition that any program cut is a cut in education… that you've decimated the whole education… and I'm not sure it is." Should voters approve the construction question, the tax rate will increase 39 cents per $1,000 equalized valuation for this school year's budget, bringing the tax rate to $9.99 per $1,000. Should voters pass the operating costs question with the construction question, the tax rate will rise an additional $1.25 per $1,000 for the 2000-2001 school year budget. That would bring the total tax rate to $11.24 per $1,000 that year, the highest it would be for the borrowing duration for both questions. The exceeding revenue caps proposal includes $1.6 million annually for staffing and operating costs. Because all of that would not be needed the first year of borrowing, the district could then examine and most likely fund needs for next school year that may not be met - or may face elimination - in the regular budget process, said Bill Palmer, assistant superintendent for business affairs. District officials have said next school year's budget faces a $1.3 million shortfall and the only way to balance the budget would be to cut programs and/or athletics. "You wouldn't need the full amount for staffing the first year," Palmer said. "It would take about four years… As you phase it in… what this does, especially in the first year where we know we have problems… you would be left with $1.2 million to address that shortfall." The anticipated cuts were based on a declining enrollment and all aid reimbursement remaining the same, Palmer said. Already, officials are expecting the governor to pass a biennial budget that would boost state dollars the district could receive for special education. As the staffing, maintenance and operating portion of the $1.6 million annually rises to meet such demands, there would be fewer dollars to fund any budget shortfalls. But board members said they wouldn't mind going back to the public in three or four years asking for money to maintain programs and extracurricular activities. "I think this is a reasonable step and (it) helps us cope," Mike O'Meara said. "I'm willing in three years to say my crystal ball wasn't that good… to go for another (referendum)." Members of the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization and Parent-Teacher Association told board members not to back down. "Parents expect the School Board to make sure the resources for their children … are there" throughout their schooling years, said Bill Hettler, Stevens Point. "I expect us to be darn good, and if we really explain it (the needs) to the public, I believe they'll agree. "Quality schools add to a quality community," he said.