Dear Editor,
The Dodgeville School District has listened to our community and decreased its request with a bare-bones operating referendum. Asking taxpayers for more money is never easy, especially when so many of us are already feeling the pinch. But the referendum is about protecting our schools, which is fundamental to the strength and future of our entire community.
And the referendum isn’t about funding extras or non-essentials. The referendum will go directly towards educating our children – teachers, support staff, curriculum, technology, and basic operations. Extracurricular activities such as sports, music, theater and clubs are all valuable to a student’s education, but they represent only a very small portion of the overall operating budget – any needs beyond the basics are met through fundraising efforts by students & parents.
I am grateful for those serving our school district who are doing their very best to fund our schools. It’s not an easy task and can be a very thankless job. The district takes its responsibility to taxpayers seriously and uses the money available wisely. Their finances are transparent on the district’s website (under the Dashboard). Unfortunately, for the past 20 years, our state legislators have failed to keep pace with rising school costs and the problem is straight forward: The state money given to fund public education is simply not enough. It is no surprise that schools across Wisconsin, including the Dodgeville School District, must turn to referendums simply to fund operating costs.
I don’t like paying more in taxes any more than anyone else. But this referendum represents an investment in something that affects all of us, whether we have children in school or not.
We must preserve a school district that supports our children, attracts families, strengthens local businesses, protects property values, and helps maintain the quality of life that makes our community a great place to live.
The referendum request has now decreased to $185/year for every $100,000 of property value for only 3 years. The choice isn’t simply whether we want to pay more taxes It’s whether we are willing to invest in the future of our community or risk the consequences of allowing our schools to fall behind or close completely.
We are in this community together. Please join me in supporting the Dodgeville School District and vote YES on the bare-bones operating referendum.
Let’s protect our schools! Lauren Thuli, Dodgeville, WI