Dear Editor,
November Referendum Coming First off, I post editorials in the Dodgeville Chronicle so residents can be informed voters. Support a local business, please buy the local Chronicle.
The ‘hired’ School Perceptions referendum survey, which did not reach all the voting Dodgeville School District (DSD) voting households, showed a November referendum would not pass at the $2.5 Million so the Board will now ask for $1.9 million for 3 years. And just know, while the tax impact might show a projected increase of say, $400? annually on a $250,000 property, this is in addition to the $1.3 Million tax from a previous recurring referendum, the Governors $325 per student which increases each year, and the typical property tax increase due to home values.
IA County ranks 43rd out of the 72 Wis Counties for projected population growth. The board has no control over this. But the other reasons of declining enrollment they do have some control over. Abt 153 kids transferred out to other districts (sadly, some because of bullying/ harassment). Abt 45 kids are being home schooled. Problematic test scores also are a factor whether students attend our schools. When 200 kids leave, that’s a problem. It’s a problem a referendum CAN NOT fix and does result in less state aid.
Since 2005, us, the locals, have passed 4 referendums. We, the locals, not the state, have given the district abt $52 Million from past 4 referendums. Plus another $IM for Fund 80 since 2021. Most locals don’t even know about this ‘Slush Fund 80’ as a referendum is not required. And there’s the $325 per student every year from Gov Evers we are now, separately taxed for. So, that means it’s abt $54 M local residents have given the district, not including the annual monies from the state, federal, grants, & donations. This should prove to some, we HAVE been supportive of the district.
What some of us DON’T support are the DSD priorities and overspending, especially in high administrative costs and outside contracting. The DSD has been higher than the state avg for spending, not only in administrative costs but operational, transportation, and instruction, yet we have fewer teaching staff than the state avg. The DSD Board is also pondering a taxpayer funded daycare going into the school building that will cost taxpayers even more. Another ongoing expense not in this referendum.
The District’s priority should be academics, not funding daycare programs, not community programs, and not more administration. There are local entities already providing daycare and community programs.
This won’t be the last referendum. The DSD’s Board is talking about a 3 yr cycle of more referendums for operational and for building maintenance, even if a Nov referendum passes. The District’s Finance Committee was initially created by some past board members due to this exact scenario of questionable budgeting and over spending. They were able to reign in the spending, the public was listened to, short term borrowing was not used as a day to day checkbook, and they didn’t need operational referendums. During that time even the academic scores were improved. So, It can be done! And wanting the state to fully fund education, districts would love this as there’d be no need to even have a budget.
A cycle of referendums is NOT going to fix the overspending nor the Board’s priorities. The school’s Finance Committee and administration need to reprioritize, and stop spending, esp on Fund 80 projects, and more administrative positions. Get back to the basics of teaching our kids. We have questionable test scores. The Board and administration are kicking the can down the road, not us residents.
I urge you local citizens to stay informed, be critical thinkers, look at the details. The devil is ALWAYS in the details.
Nancy Mueller, Dodgeville, WI