Parkview school residents likely face referendums in April
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Steve Lutzke
ORFORDVILLE — Declining enrollment and state funding cuts are forcing the Parkview School District to seek more money from voters, likely in two referendums in April.
The school board has not voted on dollar amounts or wording yet, but it will at its Jan. 18 or Feb. 15 meeting, District Administrator Steve Lutzke said.
The first question will ask taxpayers to exceed the state revenue caps for the next four years, possibly by about $600,000 each year, he said. That money would be spent on operations and technology improvements.
The second question will ask voters for about $2.8 million over 20 years for the most pressing capital projects, he said.
District enrollment was down 48 students this year because the kindergarten class only has 56 students compared to last year’s graduating class of 91, Lutzke said. The district projects it will lose 30 to 40 students in each of the next three to four years, he said.
The district also received about $340,000 less in state aid this year, he said.
Officials initially considered asking for $800,000 a year.
“When we looked at the tax impact on our homeowners, we just did not feel comfortable asking for that amount of money, so we’re scaling that back and going to do what we can to reduce our budget through reductions and costs,” Lutzke said.
Even if an approved referendum provided $600,000 each year, the district would have to cut about $300,000 each year to make up the deficit, he said.
If approved, the question asking to exceed the revenue cap would increase taxes on a $100,000 home by $140 for each of the four years, Lutzke said. The capital improvements question would add $28 to that home tax bill for each of the 20 years.
About half of the $2.8 million referendum would go toward installing new roofs at Footville Elementary and the junior/senior high schools. The remainder would upgrade all bathrooms in the district to become handicap accessible, replace inefficient windows and lighting, add HVAC controls in all buildings and provide a new boiler and heating system at Footville Elementary.
Lutzke said the district and board still are working on a list of possible cuts if the referendums fail.
“We’ll share that with the community after the board has a chance to approve those things,” he said.
Mar 2, 2010 at 9:19 a.m.
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Still nothing on closing the moneypit in Newark?
Dec 24, 2009 at 11:55 p.m.
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I am a transplant to the Parkview School District, but it sure doesn't surprise me there is so much opposition to closing Newark. When the majority of School Board members are from that area. Plus you have to realize the voters in this area get out and vote. I would almost guarantee they will be out in force in April to save their beloved "Neighborhood" School. Everyone must get out and vote either for or against. This is still the USA and the majority rules, even when the minority cast more votes than the majority. So Footville, Orfordville you had better ralley to vote on this Tax Increase. You are the ones who will have to live with it for YEARS to come.
Dec 24, 2009 at 10:32 a.m.
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First of all, folks, closing Newark doesn't solve anything. The kids still need to be serviced, so they'd end up being bussed longer than they already are. Some kids already spend over an hour on the bus as it is.
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camper61, there are close to 100 kids at Newark this year, and it's been about that level over the past 5 years. I guess that is 20+, but you forgot to add the 80 after your 20+.
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Also, the $700,000 amount is way over what the cost savings would be if Newark were to close. The district budget proposal estimated the cost savings to close Newark would be less than $80K per year.
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The whole issue here is that everyone in the community wants the best for their kids without having to pay for it. Shutting down Newark would cause so many headaches for the families whose children attend there, and for the teachers and staff as well. To save that small amount of $ each year is not worth the problems it would cause. People don't realize that you can't just re-draw district lines and ship the kids all over the county to other schools. If Newark were to close, I promise it would do more harm than good. Sometimes we all need to chip in to provide a nice learning experience for the children in our communities.
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Also, according to the article, the referendum is for the district (most of the money going to Footville and Orfordville, not Newark). The money saved to shut Newark would not even come close to paying for the upgrades asked for in the referendum.
Dec 24, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.
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I agree with horseman $700k for 20-some elementary students does not hardly seem justified. It is time for this relic to close and use the money for more beneficial things.
Dec 24, 2009 at 7:55 a.m.
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Quit gripping over piddly money. Try having your taxes go up over 200 bucks pushing 300 bucks per year for the next 6 years with our small town referendum passed, in Green County WI where our school size is less than half of Footville/Orfordville combined, with a 20 million dollar referendum over 6 years. Cough up the piddly little bit of money because what they are asking is a very small increase compared to other school systems. Get over it, pay it, and move on with your lives.
Dec 23, 2009 at 11:44 p.m.
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Closing Newark and Footville and maintain a Parkview Campus in Orfordville would save time and money. Staff that has to travel from school to school and transporting students is not the best use of tax money. Administration is best done from one location. This has been a sticking point for Parkview for 30 years or more. Can residents now look at this realistically?
Dec 23, 2009 at 5:15 p.m.
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I think that they need to look at closing newark school. that would save them about $700,000 a year. then they would not have to ask for the money. They really need to look into that!!!!!!
Dec 23, 2009 at 5:07 p.m.
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Wouldn't you think if your down close to 50% enrollment,that you would need 50% less monies from the tax payer??? Seems to me you work with 50% less over all! Time to down size,not keep it the same,sounds like 50% of the staff will NOT be doing anything but collecting a check!!
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