Referendum fever is hitting many school districts these days. Lisa Sink compiled a
great chart of area referendums dating from 1988 to 2007 for her article,
Elmbrook district casting big net. On it Janesville tops most costly, successful referendum list.
According to the article, “...most school districts with multiple high schools have chosen to spread work for the high schools over several referendums.” This is because it saves the taxpayers money—less money borrowed over a shorter time. But is that what Elmbrook is doing? No. If Janesville can do it all at once, certainly we can too? “Janesville was the only district Elmbrook Schools Superintendent Matt Gibson could cite that has sought large-scale improvements to two high schools at the same time”.
But wait a minute. Comparing Janesville to Elmbrook is not a fair comparison. Elmbrook taxpayers pay more in property tax to support their schools and state schools than Janesville taxpayers do. We are known as a “ ‘Primary Aid District’ due to our large tax base.” Because of that base, Elmbrook sends more money to the state than it receives back in state aid.
For our referendum, Elmbrook residents must pay “dollar for dollar” of all expenses. But according to Bob Borch, “They (Janesville) accounted for receiving 25% of every dollar needed to pay back the bonds as coming from state aid, this lowering the cost to the taxpayer for their borrowing.”
Elmbrook taxpayers also spend more per pupil than many other districts. Janesville gets $6,208 / student, while their property taxes contribute $2,900. Wausau recently passed a large referendum, but they receive $6,147 in state aid / student. Their taxpayers contribute $4,026. Closer to home Greenfield receives $4,317/student and pays $5,855.
What is Elmbrook’s benefit and cost? We receive only $1,701 in state aid, but our taxpayers must pay $9,480!
Do you see why comparing our district to Wausau, Greenfield or Janesville is not a fair comparison?
Coming up next: See why Janesville won the referendum, but lost anyway
ONLY 3 MORE DAYS UNTIL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TUESDAY! WANT TO CONTACT ME ANONYMOUSLY? CLICK HERELINKS:
Brookfield7 postings
Betterbrookfield,
Votenoapril3.com
