Culver responds to Kish letter

Dear Editor,

Inaccurate statements and misleading facts regarding the February 20 school referendum were published in a ast minute letter to the editor. I would like to reply.

1. The real estate market is and has been slow.  This has little to do with projected enrollment of students in school.  Last fall the school district enrolled 234 more students than the previous year. 

Next fall, even if zero students move into the school district, we will have about 130  more students than this year because the enrolling kindergarten class is so much larger than the graduating senior class.  Next fall, all available elementary classroom space will be used even if zero students move here between now and then.

2. The school board continued, as planned, to follow the contract for the SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) program at the two schools with the highest percentage of low-income students. 

Had the district abruptly pulled out of the program, in addition to the impact on student learning and the loss of state revenue, only a year or possibly two at most would have passed before more classrooms were needed. Is it better to keep our educational standards now rather than build at a higher cost in the near future?

3. The old junior high school has been fully utilized.  In addition to the YMCA, there are three school programs and two community programs in residence and additionally many groups use the gym.

The ten classrooms in the building are currently in use by the three school programs, but even so, the building is not suitable for elementary programming.  When the YMCA moves out late next fall, we will need that space to house additional programs or classes from the senior high, which is also nearing capacity.

4. In 2006-07, there are three available classrooms at Horizon Elementary (actually they are in use for various programs, but do not house regular classes).  In 2007-08, there will no classrooms available at Horizon Elementary.  In 2008-09, there will be no classrooms available at any elementary school in the district.  Without Elementary seven, we will have to change our program or standards of education.

5. Of the approximate $1.2 million to operate an elementary school, about $725,000 is for teaching staff.  Teacher numbers grow in relation to the number of students.  Whether or not Elementary 7 opens in the fall of 2008, we will need these teachers to match growth in the number of students.

We will have to absorb this cost within the growth allowed by state revenue limits.  The truth is that about $475,000 of the total is related to opening a new site -- for things such as utilities, secretary, custodians, etc.  We knew these costs were coming and have been budgeting conservatively under the state imposed revenue limits last year and the coming year. 

We have also been controlling spending by paying down debt so we can absorb this additional cost WITHOUT asking the community to exceed the revenue limits as we have in the past.  The administration and school board are proud of this restraint and careful planning so we aren't planning to ask for more than the state allows under existing revenue limits.

6. If we are to have the school open by August 2008, this referendum could not have been pushed off to April. The Elementary 6 referendum was passed in February 2003 (with a huge voter turnout) and Horizon opened in August 2005. 

Our architect advised we needed to have authority and approvals to begin site development before April 2007 or the school would not be ready in time.  The truth is that state law permits a school referendum with passage of a resolution by the school board meeting certain criteria.  The present school board has refused to consider such special elections -- limiting the district to the four options of the spring and fall primary or general elections.

7. It is false to say the school board hopes you won't become informed or vote on February 20.  I know this because of the 14 public information meetings and other opportunities seeking to engage the community and urge all people to vote. 

Please take time review all the information on the district website at www.blog.spasd.k12.wi.us or one of the two informational flyers mailed to every home in the school district.

Please vote. Our community is making a choice about the kinds of schools and future we will experience.  We are all accountable.

Sincerely

Tim Culver