The school district sent me several renderings of the proposed renovations to the SHS Library and PE Building.  These pictures should help to clarify exactly what Dr. McCann was referring to during the videos of the SHS referendum tour.

SEE THE RENDERINGS

I took the videos below during the 2/16/08 Shorewood School District referendum informational tours.  Shorewood Superintendent Blane McCann gives the full tour of the key spaces which would be affected by the referendum. 

The video is split up into 4 parts: Intro, Library, PE Building, and Pool.  I am also working on obtaining the architectural plans for the Library and PE Building spaces so you can get a better sense of the proposed renovations.  The maximum video length for YouTube uploads in 10 minutes, so you will notice editing in some places.

If you experience problems viewing them, please let me know.  There may a download speed issue.  If so, I will see if I can reduce the quality of the video to make them play more smoothly.

REFERENDUM INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND (9 mins 51 sec)

SHS LIBRARY TOUR (2 mins 55 sec)

SHS PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDING TOUR (8 mins 32 sec)

SHS POOL TOUR (1 min 35 sec)

The Shorewood School District is distributing an information packet on the upcoming $9.65 Million referendum.  It contains a breakdown of proposed expenditures, the need for the expenditures, and other background on the state of our school finances.

Shorewood School District April 1, 2008 Referendum

On April 1, 2008, the Shorewood School Board will seek voter approval to borrow $9.65 million to finance maintenance, technology and renovation needs throughout the Shorewood School District.... (READ FULL DOCUMENT)

Shorewood voters will be asked to decide on a $9.65 Million referendum for the Shorewood School District as a part of the April 2008 ballot.  The School Board approved placing the referendum on the ballot during a meeting this evening.  Following the School Board meeting, Shorewood School District Superintendent Blane McCann updated the Village Board on the status of the referendum.

Here is the complete audio of Superintendent McCann's remarks, and the discussion that followed. 

boomp3.com

I have audio for several other sections of the meeting, which I will post tomorrow.

We have had a lot of heavy and controversial stories about redevelopment these last few weeks. 

To break the tension and bring a smile to your face, I bring you this humorous WI State Statute.  It specifies list of days Wisconsin schools are legally required to observe. 

WI Statute 118.02 - Special observance days.

On the following days when school is held or, if the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, on a school day immediately preceding or following the respective day, the day shall be appropriately observed:

(1) January 15, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
(2) February 12, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.
(3) February 15, Susan B. Anthony’s birthday.
(4) February 22, George Washington’s birthday.
(5) March 4, Casimir Pulaski Day.
(5m) March 17, for “The Great Hunger” in Ireland from 1845 to 1850.
(5r) April 9, Prisoners of War Remembrance Day.
(6) April 13, American Creed Day.
(6m) April 19, Patriots’ Day.
(7) April 22, Environmental Awareness Day.
(7g) The last Friday in April, Arbor Day
(7r) June 14, if school is held, Robert M. La Follette, Sr. Day.
(8) September 16, Mildred Fish Harnack Day.
(9) September 17, U.S. Constitution Day.
(9g) Wednesday of the 3rd week in September, as part of Wonderful Wisconsin Week.  (Editors note: What?)
(9r) Friday of the 3rd week in September, POW−MIA Recognition Day.
(10) September 28, Frances Willard Day.
(11) October 9, Leif Erikson Day.
(12) October 12, Christopher Columbus’ birthday.
(13) November 11,Veterans Day.

I, for one, went to Shorewood High School, and never once celebrated Wonderful Wisconsin Week or Frances Willard Day.  I feel slighted, and demand accountability!

D2D Chair Sean Cummings and I exchanged several positive emails today regarding where we are on the athletic field renovation. I think you will find his updates helpful.  Here is what he had to say:

Email 1 (Also posted to ShorewoodNOW as a press release):

I certainly understand the desire of residents to see visible progress on the field renovation.    The D2D Committee, SHS administration and School Board members have been active in progressing behind the scenes.    Soil samples, survey work, construction management contracts  and design reviews have been conducted.   Further design reviews will continue as each of the new facility elements (field/drainage prep., retention walls, bleachers, lighting, field turf, lighting, concession stands, locker rooms etc), are finalized and sent out to bid.    Demolition bid documents were prepared,  sent out and are due back on the 19th, with an expectation that visible progress will be made yet this month and into early November.

We are working very hard on each element to get the biggest bang for our buck.   Yes volunteer committees may be slower than people would prefer however we are determined to get it right, receive good value for money and deliver a project we can all be proud of.  

Email 2:  

The truth is we had to pick a time well in advance so that alternate plans could be made for these teams.  Schedules, times and places for visiting teams had to be locked up.

We had planned to have demolition well underway by now however I am sure you can appreciate the complexities of ensuring that DNR, MMSD, Village and School Board needs are met, specifications clear, bids back, contracts and funds in place.    As dedicated and talented as this volunteer group is we all have full time jobs and everything does not always line up as planned.  

I plan to issue a regular project update to keep the community fully informed.

Well apparently, this idea died on the table. I have heard nothing since the initial flurry of interest. Given the fact that we are in the height of budget season, this would be the time to take action if any action were planned.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From previous posting from August 2006

I have received responses from several of the officials I contacted regarding the school funding idea. As you can see, there are some valid questions that need to be answered. However, as the emails below show, there is interest in this concept.

Here are the responses so far, for your reading pleasure.

____________________

FROM: Ruth Treisman, School Board

Steve,

Thanks for the good information. The Superintendent, Blane McCann, is checking with the village about this. He also has spoke with the business manager of the School District.

Ruth Treisman

____________________

From: Blane McCann, School District Superintendent

Dear Steve:

Thank you for bringing this idea to me. I promise I will check it oit with our interim business manager and see if this could save any money.

Blane

_____________________

From: Margaret Hickey, Village Trustee

Steve
I do not know much about the amounts we are talking about. How much would the school system need and for what term? As you may know, we have been having meetings with a consultant to help us set policy with regard to the fund balance and other issues.

Thanks. Margaret
______________________

I have received responses from several of the officials I contacted regarding the school funding idea. As you can see, there are some valid questions that need to be answered. However, as the emails below show, there is interest in this concept.

Here are the responses so far, for your reading pleasure.

____________________

FROM: Ruth Treisman, School Board

Steve,

Thanks for the good information. The Superintendent, Blane McCann, is checking with the village about this. He also has spoke with the business manager of the School District.

Ruth Treisman

____________________

From: Blane McCann, School District Superintendent

Dear Steve:

Thank you for bringing this idea to me. I promise I will check it oit with our interim business manager and see if this could save any money.

Blane

_____________________

From: Margaret Hickey, Village Trustee

Steve
I do not know much about the amounts we are talking about. How much would the school system need and for what term? As you may know, we have been having meetings with a consultant to help us set policy with regard to the fund balance and other issues.

Thanks. Margaret
______________________

Shorewood Schools, like school districts throughout the state, have experienced budgetary difficulties over the last number of years. We are searching for creative solutions to these problems to ensure the continued excellence of our schools. On the Village side, all Trustee candidates and current Trustees seem to express the desire to find ways to help the School District.

Below is a letter I sent to both School District and Shorewood Village officials, outlining an idea for one way this collaboration might happen. It is an idea I brought up during the campaign, but that is not original to me.

The idea itself was first proposed by a School Board member closely related to me who has since left both the Board and the country. However, since nobody seemed to pick up the idea and run with it after it was proposed, I brought it up again during the campaign. My hope is that by giving this idea the light of day, we can explore it further, and see if it has merit. As I state in the letter, there are definitely some legal issues we would need to consider before proceeding. But if it could be put into practice, it could be one small step toward alleviating the funding shortfall our schools are experiencing.

________________________________

All -

Given the continued funding difficulties within the school district, I continue to be interested in the possibility of intergovernmental loans between the Village and the School District. I mentioned this as an idea at one of the campaign forums, and it seems more timely now than ever. WI Statue 61.34(4) seems to specifically authorize this activity.

"The village board may loan money to any school district located within the village or within which the village is wholly or partially located in such sums as are needed by such district to meet the immediate expenses of operating the schools thereof, and the board of the district may borrow money from such village accordingly and give its note therefor. No such loan shall be made to extend beyond August 30
next following the making thereof or in an amount exceeding one-half of the estimated receipts for such district as certified by the state superintendent of public instruction and the local school clerk. The
rate of interest on any such loan shall be determined by the village board."

It would remain necessary to determine whether it would be possible to effect such a transaction in a manner advantageous to both parties. If the short term borrowing costs for the school district exceed the rate of return the village is getting on the same amount over the same time period, there may be a real opportunity here to benefit both sides. If would also be necessary to determine the effects (if any) of this activity on current school funding formulas at the state level.

Best Wishes,
Steve Koczela
4526 N Woodruff Ave

___________________________________