The only board member to show any common sense about the needs of the schools is Bill Sodemann, once again. Remember, Sodemann was the only board member to suggest breaking the referendum up into several pieces so the voters could accept or reject any or all they choose. But the board decided to go for all or nothing, which I believe is a mistake. I think if they had a provision that would prohibit bringing this referendum back for three years if it fails in November would change their minds.
Sodemann brought up at least five misleading points in the pamphlet, one of them was the 28 cent-a-day cost analogy. The taxpayer may think twice when it amounts to $103 a year in addition to the regular annual hikes in property taxes. Sodemann also said the pamphlet does not mention that expanding the schools will mean adding ten new janitors with salary and benefits costing the District (taxpayer) another $500,000 a year. This would also be in addition to higher energy costs annually to air condition the schools and four new gymnasiums.
”Given that we’re less than eight weeks away (from the vote), I’m not sure if we have time to debate a brochure.,” said board member Lori Stottler. Duwayne Severson said time for debating the referendum is over, and the discord is detracting from the boards objective: to get the referendum passed.
“In the spirit of working together, let’s give it a rest,” Severson said to Sodemann.
Severson tries to pull the old, “united we stand, divided we fall” guilt trip on Sodemann. The school board doesn’t think eight weeks is a long enough time to discuss pressing issues like this? Now is the most important time to debate controversial elements of anything that pertains to the referendum. They are asking for additional taxation through misrepresentation, and Sodemann is the only one standing up requesting to make things right.
Debra Kolste also came to the referendums defense saying that the district’s debt load is low compared to other districts of similar size.
Is that supposed to be some consolation to the taxpayer? The only debt load a property tax payer is concerned with, is their own. I would offer that if the district’s debt load is low that is commendable, and we should strive to maintain that level of fiscal responsibility.
The Janesville Gazette wrote that Lake Geneva and Badger High school district voters approved borrowing for their school improvements, but the amounts were only $7 and $12 million respectively. The nearly $71 million referendum from the Janesville school board is a whopper for a town the size of Janesville.
Also in their Sound Off column, two callers related the school improvements to residential property value. I would think using the referendum effects on home values pro or con to serve as a reason for voting either way is selfish and wrong. You’re better off not voting at all and stay at home on Nov. 7th.
6 comments:
It's business as usual with the school board. They will do anything to get this through. It's good to have a man like Soderman who actually has common sense on the school board. They are trying to slip one past the taxpayers. The sad thing is if they don't get it through this time they will continue to push it year after year until they do get there way.
It's stuff like what they are doing to try and force this down our throats. Trying to make it sound really not that bad inly 28 cents a day. Debra Kolste is a lost woman who has NO clue on how things in the real world work.
I guess you haven't been through the schools lately. They are over crowed and weren't designed to have four grades in them. You seem to be more worried about your own pocketbook and not the future leaders of this city and country. You may actually want to go through the schools before placing judgement on this issue. They will be happy to give you a tour.
If you haven't noticed, my position with the school referendum does not address the condition of the schools at all. They could probably use some maintenance and improvements. I don't doubt this. But four gymnasiums per school is twice too many and although sports/physical ed is a good thing, how many students get to earn a living playing games? Every dollar spent towards sports is a dollar taken away from academics.
Yes, when I spend I try to keep it within my means and not go into debt, so I am concerned about my pocketbook. I am also concerned about the future leaders of this fair city afterall, the current crop of wealthy donors(none) were schooled in the once-upon-a-time "modern" schools they want to expand now. Apparently they don't teach "giving" in the schools.
So how much would a 3rd school cost?
Since we have 3 middle schools, why not 3 high schools? That should relieve the overcrowding & satisfy those who are hung up on sports and appearances.
A Gazette "Sound Off" anonymous caller described the $70.8 million dollar cost in an eye-opening way. You could build 500 $140,000 homes for the same cost the district wants to spend on expanding and fixing up two schools. That is amazing!!
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