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School officials begin spreading word on referendum

By HEATHER CLARK
Special for The Gazette
Public school district residents will soon learn more about the referendum that will determine if Stevens Point Area Public Schools will receive additions and remodeling.

Voters will be informed about the school district's needs and what will be included in the two referendum questions.

"The time is quickly approaching, but we're moving and things look pretty good now," Superintendent Emery Babcock told the School Board.

A communications consultant has been hired at a cost of between $12,000 and $15,000. Susan Finco of Leonard & Finco Communications Inc., Green Bay, will work with the district on an as-needed basis through Nov. 2.

Among other items administration is working on regarding the referendum are separating maintenance needs, compiling a newsletter, creating a video, and developing a question and answer form. The Parent-Teacher Association/Organization also is working on providing information during schools' open houses next week. Charts showing where additions will go are expected to be completed by next week to display at the schools.

The School Board voted unanimously Monday night to hold a special election Nov. 2 for the referendum. The referendum is declared a special election because there would otherwise be no other voting issues in Portage County.

The board voted 8-1 on wording for each of the two questions. Each will begin with "Shall the following initial resolution be approved?" followed by the statement:

· "Be it resolved by the School Board of the Stevens Point Area Public School District, Portage and Wood Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $54 million for the public purpose of paying the cost of constructing, adding to, remodeling, improving and equipping elementary and secondary schools in the district."

· "Be it resolved by the School Board of the Stevens Point Area Public School District, Portage and Wood Counties, Wisconsin, that the revenues included in the school district budget for the 2000-2001 school year and thereafter be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.9, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2.97 million a year for recurring purposes consisting of maintaining academic programs, upgrading and maintaining facilities, purchasing textbooks, providing maintenance and custodial staff, and paying other operational costs."

Voters will be able to mark a "yes" or "no" box for each question on the ballot.

Ray Haas voted against the two questions citing residents' right to pick and choose projects and a belief that not all academic courses may be necessary to achieve a quality education.

"Several people in the community really think there wouldn't be confusion if it's broken down," Haas said regarding the desire for more questions.

He also said the district should ask to exceed revenue caps annually only for those funds necessary to positions and maintenance items linked to the new construction.

"I think we can maintain academic standards without going the extra $2 million and readjusting how we do our education," he said. One suggestion was cutting high school course loads from eight classes to seven and recovering instructional costs there.

Board member Mike O'Meara disagreed.

"Over the last number of years, since we've been at revenue caps, we've lengthened the time we've kept textbooks and delayed our maintenance," he said. "… I'm for the levy because… I want to deliver a high quality product and to do that costs money, there's no way around it."

Administration is in the process of separating maintenance items into two categories: those necessary with regard to construction and those that could be included in a long-term maintenance plan which would be achieved through referendum passage, Babcock said.

The district also is beginning to schedule forums dealing with referendum issues or questions with various community groups.

In other business, the board unanimously approved purchasing the Henry Duda property at 325 Second St. N. at a $71,750 cost. The district will pay a $5,000 down payment with the occupants to be out by April 21, 2000.

The property is adjacent to SPASH's parking lot and was purchased for potential expansion, pending the referendum outcome.



	School officials begin spreading word on referendum By HEATHER CLARK Special for The Gazette Public school district residents will soon learn more about the referendum that will determine if Stevens Point Area Public Schools will receive additions and remodeling. Voters will be informed about the school district's needs and what will be included in the two referendum questions. "The time is quickly approaching, but we're moving and things look pretty good now," Superintendent Emery Babcock told the School Board. A communications consultant has been hired at a cost of between $12,000 and $15,000. Susan Finco of Leonard & Finco Communications Inc., Green Bay, will work with the district on an as-needed basis through Nov. 2. Among other items administration is working on regarding the referendum are separating maintenance needs, compiling a newsletter, creating a video, and developing a question and answer form. The Parent-Teacher Association/Organization also is working on providing information during schools' open houses next week. Charts showing where additions will go are expected to be completed by next week to display at the schools. The School Board voted unanimously Monday night to hold a special election Nov. 2 for the referendum. The referendum is declared a special election because there would otherwise be no other voting issues in Portage County. The board voted 8-1 on wording for each of the two questions. Each will begin with "Shall the following initial resolution be approved?" followed by the statement: · "Be it resolved by the School Board of the Stevens Point Area Public School District, Portage and Wood Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $54 million for the public purpose of paying the cost of constructing, adding to, remodeling, improving and equipping elementary and secondary schools in the district." · "Be it resolved by the School Board of the Stevens Point Area Public School District, Portage and Wood Counties, Wisconsin, that the revenues included in the school district budget for the 2000-2001 school year and thereafter be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.9, Wisconsin Statutes, by $2.97 million a year for recurring purposes consisting of maintaining academic programs, upgrading and maintaining facilities, purchasing textbooks, providing maintenance and custodial staff, and paying other operational costs." Voters will be able to mark a "yes" or "no" box for each question on the ballot. Ray Haas voted against the two questions citing residents' right to pick and choose projects and a belief that not all academic courses may be necessary to achieve a quality education. "Several people in the community really think there wouldn't be confusion if it's broken down," Haas said regarding the desire for more questions. He also said the district should ask to exceed revenue caps annually only for those funds necessary to positions and maintenance items linked to the new construction. "I think we can maintain academic standards without going the extra $2 million and readjusting how we do our education," he said. One suggestion was cutting high school course loads from eight classes to seven and recovering instructional costs there. Board member Mike O'Meara disagreed. "Over the last number of years, since we've been at revenue caps, we've lengthened the time we've kept textbooks and delayed our maintenance," he said. "… I'm for the levy because… I want to deliver a high quality product and to do that costs money, there's no way around it." Administration is in the process of separating maintenance items into two categories: those necessary with regard to construction and those that could be included in a long-term maintenance plan which would be achieved through referendum passage, Babcock said. The district also is beginning to schedule forums dealing with referendum issues or questions with various community groups. In other business, the board unanimously approved purchasing the Henry Duda property at 325 Second St. N. at a $71,750 cost. The district will pay a $5,000 down payment with the occupants to be out by April 21, 2000. The property is adjacent to SPASH's parking lot and was purchased for potential expansion, pending the referendum outcome.