It's not that elementary

Before running off to the ballot box and voting yes next Tuesday to  raise your taxes, let's look at some additional facts you may not be aware  of:

The Sun Prairie area currently has over 300 houses for sale.

The Sun Prairie area currently has over 200 condos for sale.

Mortgage interest rates are rising and most would consider this a down housing market.

The Sun Prairie School Board refused to change existing elementary school programming. That in itself could have freed up needed space for 80 to 180 new students.

The old Junior High School has been under utilized since both Patrick Marsh and Prairie View were built. The YMCA will be moving out of this building this fall. The old Junior High School is sound and centrally located. The building could be retro fitted for Elementary School needs and added on to for far less than 14.7 million dollars plus interest over the next 20 years.

There are currently 4 - 5 unused classrooms at Horizon Elementary School.

If this referendum passes, the Sun Prairie School Board will need an additional 1.2 million dollars each year for employee salaries and benefits. Don't forget about utilities and other unexpected yearly cost as well. These concerns are not part of the referendum question, but these concerns will affect your property tax bill.

Couldn't this referendum have been pushed off till April, when more taxpayers would have voted for Mayor, City Council, School Board and other issues?    

Maybe. But, there are school board members that are hoping you do not take the time to research this topic and not vote.

Whether or not you want one high school  or two high schools, Dr. Culver and the Sun Prairie School Board are working toward  another referendum that could come as early as November of this year. Can our community afford another 80 to 120 million burden on our property tax payers?
 
So tell me again why we are going to referendum?
 
I personally believe that all the facts aren't always given to help our community make the right decision. Therefore, I will be voting NO and I ask you to consider doing the same. 
 
Let's keep Sun Prairie an affordable place  to live.

Ken Kish