In a letter to district residents, Southern Door Superintendent Patti Vickman says the school district is at another critical point in its history. Vickman says the referendum in April is about maintaining the great education that Southern Door currently provides. A newsletter sent to taxpayers indicates that decreases in state aid & revenue limits have put the school system in a position where budget shortfalls will be a fact of life over the next three school years. The document points out that revenue limits have caused a budget decrease of $435,000 since the 2006/2007 school year & decreases in state aid have totaled $2.4 million, meaning the district has seen the loss of more than $2.8 million since then. At the same time, the cost of doing business has gone up.
The referendum question on the April ballot will ask for permission to exceed the budget cap by $700,000 next school year…by $1,070,000 the following year…&…by $1.3 million the third year. During that period, the owners of a $100,000 property will see their tax bills go up by $70 during 2013/2014…by $34 the next school year and by $22 for the 2015/2016 school year. The newsletter notes that the district has reduced staffing and services by more than $2 million, including the reduction of more than 21 staff positions. In addition, more than $500,000 of the fund balance has been used. More public & community donations have been sought…&…A long range financial & facilities plan has been developed. District residents have been told that, if the referendum fails, more cuts will be needed & the cuts will have to be across the board, affecting every area of the district, from increased classroom sizes to less opportunities in music, athletics & electives, along with increased student fees.
Informational meetings on the Southern Door referendum will be held on several days & at several locations in the district this month. The sessions begin Saturday at 1PM at Richard’s Pub & Grill in Maplewood. The rest of the March schedule is as follows…
Monday, March 18th S.D. Athletic boosters…6PM…High School cafe
Wednesday, March 20th S.D. Business Association…6:30PM…Wave Pointe Marina & Resort
Thursday, March 21st 6:15PM…Nasewaupee Town Hall
Saturday, March 23rd…1:30PM…Belgian Delight…Brussels
Monday, March 25th…6PM…Forestville Library
Wednesday, March 27th…7:30PM…Brussels Lions Club…Brussels Community center.
Additional community presentations are being scheduled at this time. Anyone interested in scheduling a presentation should contact Superintendent Patti Vickman at 825-7311 or email…pvickman@southerndoor.k12.wi.us.
