The School District of Rhinelander board of education voted unanimously this week to ask the community to exceed revenue limits to operate the district in two referedum questions on Feb. 16, 2010.
According the superintendent Roger Erdahl, who was reached later by phone, district property owners could see anywhere from $35 to $68 tax increase, per $100,000 of property value should the referenda be approved by voters.
Erdahl said the range is because of a variety of federal funding programs, administered by the state, which the district might be eligible for to help defray expenses. "It all depends on which federal program the district might qualify for," he said.
The following list outlines the cuts that will be needed should the referendum fail. Erdahl said that one board member said that they will happen as the money goes away over the next three years. "As the need for savings occur, then these steps will be taken," he said.
In addition, he said, some reductions will be made in anticipation of needed savings, in advance of the need, because of contractual obligations to staff and the obligation to notify staff whose positions are being eliminated.
The potential draw downs should the referendum fail are as follows:
© Close the swimming pool $150,000.00
© Close the South Park building $220,000.00
© Close the Cassian-Woodboro building $360,000.00
© Close the Crescent Elementary School building $325,000.00
© Proceed with the 50% moratorium on textbooks $50,000.00
© Raise class sizes from the low 20’s to low-to-mid 30’s in grades 4-12 or reduce electives or some combination of large class sizes and reduction in electives which result in the elimination of 12.5 full-time-equivalent (FTE) teachers (3.0 FTE @ Central Elementary, 4.5 FTE at James Williams Middle School, 5.0 FTE at Rhinelander High School) $875,000.00
© Move the Rhinelander High School to a 6-period day, reducing approximately 5.0 additional FTE $350,000.00
© Administrative cut of 2.0 fte already authorized by the school board taking effect in 2010-2011and another 1.0 administrative FTE $325,000.00
© Reduce clerical staff $15,000.00
© Reduce second shift custodial staff $250,000.00
© Reduce bus routes and implement K-12 busing $168,000.00
© Reduce 11.32 FTE regular education paraprofessional staff $125,000.00
© Reduce 1.0 FTE library staff $35,000.00
© Reduce high school and middle school activities directors $70,000.00
© Reduce maintenance $420,000.00
© Reduce the following extra-curricular activities: $109,500.00
o Boys & girls swimming $24,000.00
o Forensics $4,000.00
o Alpine skiing $10,000.00
o Nordic Skiing $3,000.00
o Gymnastics $14,000.00
o Wrestling $14,000.00
o Golf $16,000.00
The two referendum questions (with explanations) will be:
Adopt an Initial Resolution Authorizing General Obligation Bonds In An Amount Not To Exceed $13,700,000
(For the public purpose of paying the cost of constructing additions to Pelican and Crescent Elementary Schools and maintenance, repair and improvement projects at the High School, Middle School and Central, Crescent and Pelican Elementary Schools; and acquiring furnishings, fixtures and equipment.)
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing The School District Budget To Exceed Revenue Limit By $1,500,000 Per Year For Three Years For Non-Recurring Purposes
(That the revenues included in the School District budget for three years beginning with the 2010-2011 school year and ending with the 2012-2013 school year be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,500,000 a year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses.)
Adopt a Resolution Providing For A Referendum Election On The Questions Of The Approval Of An Initial Resolution Authorizing The Issuance Of General Obligation Bonds In An Amount Not To Exceed $13,700,000 And A Resolution Authorizing The School District Budget To Exceed Revenue Limit By $1,500,000 Per Year For Three Years For Non-Recurring Purposes
