Dear Editor,
The Dodgeville School District has been making significant cuts & changes in the budget since the previous referendums failed. 20 positions have been reduced, class sizes have increased, course offerings have been reduced and all staff salaries are currently frozen. Even if the referendum is passed, Dodgeville teachers will still be making less than almost every district in SW Wisconsin, which has led some to travel to other districts to make more (where referendums have passed).
Passing the operating referendum isn’t going to fix everything. It is actually less than what the district
needs to fully address the gap in state funding. But it would provide much needed operating money to help our schools provide a good education to our students and to stay open! Unfortunately, there are schools in Wisconsin that have been forced to close due to failed operating referendums.
Let’s make sure our schools stay open and keep our communities an attractive place to live. The previous referendum failed by only 61 votes, so know that your vote matters and is extremely valuable! Please join me in voting YES for the bare-bones operating referendum.
Lauren Thuli Dodgeville, WI