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The Brookfield Scene

Janet, a Town of Brookfield resident, has lived in the Elmbrook area for nearly 40 years and is an avid gardener and volunteer. Her blog focuses on the city and town of Brookfield – past, present and future.

Referendum Vote April 1

By Janet Wintersberger
Monday, Mar 24 2008, 03:24 PM

Taxpayers in the Elmbrook School District (SDE) have a second chance at approving a referendum for SDE high schools on April 1.  Two groups independently developed recommendations for the 2008 referendum.  One group (sponsored by SDE) included district/board representatives.  The second group did not.

Let's compare the 2007 and 2008 referendums.

Last year's recommendation was presented as "needs based."  However, it was a two-part referendum (one for the high schools themselves and another for the athletic stations).  The combined price tag: $108.8 million.  Both referendums were resoundly defeated.

This year's referendum is also "needs based" but it includes both schools and athletics. The price tag: $62.2 million. 

Last year, the school district used a comprehensive and expensive information campaign to sway voters.  This year, SDE is apparently presenting "just the facts".  They apparently feel more confident with this year's referendum proposal.

How do the two referendums differ?

The schools have been downsized from 2007 in terms of student body and square footage.  Classrooms are smaller, but they are being more fully utilized.  The buildings' square footage cost is higher $683.41 (2008) vs. $425.00 (2007).  The financing rate is lower (5% vs. 5.5% last year). Based on the average Elmbrook home value ($321,000) the building tax will be lower $170 vs. $326.

When you vote April 1, carefully consider all the facts and the "needs."   The building tax is only one element of school taxes; school taxes are only one component of overall property taxes.

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Comments

Larry Knetzger   

Hi Janet, I consider this referendum an opportunity to say NO to the list of what were wants that are now termed "Needs". Your fellow blogger Kyle Prast has so delicately dissected the plans and really exposes the foolish use of taxpayer dollars once again. All the gym space and indoor running track and it just goes on and on. Not many dollars going for educational needs.

March 25, 2008 8:25 AM

intewedm   

I think the fact that the money that the district wants to spend has been reduced by half from the first referendum inspite of 5 years of price increases sends a clear message that they are going for the most they think they can get.  Eventually they will get something and will spend it the way they see fit.  This has not been a process that the voters/taxpayers can have any confidence in.  The groups that worked on this were suspect to say the least.  I'm voting "NO" and I know the schools will continue to suffice and turnout good results!

March 27, 2008 10:50 AM

Cheri M.   

Thought I'd share that I'm voting "NO" to the school referendum for several reasons:

1) While the district states the proposed high school building upgrades are needed to maintain high test scores, a significant expenditure is actually going toward athletics, not academics.

2) The facilities are being sized for continued increases in out-of-district enrollment, which is already excessive.  I've heard the phrase applied: "Why buy the cow when the milk is free?"  While some may be convinced that investing this amount in our high schools will maintain property values, others understand the impact of the increasing level of open enrollment in our district is encouraging non-resident families to take advantage of our school system without becoming part of the tax base and paying our level of property taxes.

3) This is not the plan proposed by the efforts of the HSST committee; This plan has been put forth by the district, after an "upgrade".   This referendum is the needs, again padded with wants.

4) Brookfield Academy is building a new high school for $12 million... considerably less than half the cost the district wants to improve each of 2 high schools. (Elmbrook referendum at $62.6million for 2 schools = $31.3 million each on average... nearly three times the cost of BA's new high school).  A million here, a million there, pretty soon you're talking about some real money!

Please consider voting "no" to the high school referendum April 1st. It is not the right plan or the right price for our community at this time.

March 31, 2008 11:41 AM

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