By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
The Delavan-Darien School Board unanimously approved a third attempt at a referendum to exceed state revenue caps for operational costs in the district on the Feb. 3 primary ballot.
The district will ask for the same amount it asked for in November – $1.25 million.
“We shouldn’t change the amount we are asking for,” board member Roxann Kelton said. “The needs are the same.”
The February referendum will be for two years instead of three and will be non-recurring as it was in November.
Superintendent Robert Crist said the referendum could be the only thing on the ballot. If so, he said, the low voter turnout might be advantageous to the district in that only the people with really strong feelings one way or the other will turn out.
On the other hand, if the referendum is the only thing on the ballot, the district will incur the full cost of the primary, which could be as much as $8,000.
“We should do this even if it’s the only thing on the ballot,” board member Joe Peyer said. “It’s our next opportunity, and we should get it done as quickly as possible.”
Board member Steve Logterman said the board has worked very hard to cut its budget to the minimum and still had to borrow $1 million from the state trust fund.
“We can kick the can further down the road or we can ask for help and hope the third time is the charm,” he said.
“This is not a wish list, it is a needs list,” Logterman said.
The board did not release a list of the exact cuts that will have to be made if another referendum fails. The board discussed the idea of producing such a list Nov. 10 to convince the public of the necessity of the referendum. The board met in closed session Nov. 18 but took no action in open session.
Crist said the board discussed in closed session specific cuts that would have to be made but has not decided how to use that information. He said 85 percent of the district’s budget is salary and benefits.
Crist said if the district makes further cuts to staff, the result will be dirtier schools, larger class sizes, and the failure of the district to continue to follow the community-supported strategic plan. He said drastic changes to staff benefits might become reality if the referendum fails.
Board member Sharon Gonzalez said she supports another attempt and said she believes the referendum has a lot of community support.
Board member Jim Hansen said this and past school boards have been financially responsible and that has resulted in the district being caught short as state revenue caps have negatively affected the district. He said the district has a plan to improve, but it needs three to four years of data to properly assess the plan. He said the plan cannot continue without funding.
Hansen said the district is asking for an investment in the schools for two years to see if the plan is working.
“I know times are tough,” Hansen said. “This is a reasonable request to the taxpayer.”
Hansen encouraged people to visit district classrooms to see the great things that are happening there.
“The money we are asking for is not being wasted,” he said.
Soccer team recognized
The Delavan-Darien High School state champion soccer team was recognized for its success. Team members received plaques from the district and the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.
“It was great for the school district,” Crist said. “It is a great honor.”
Crist said he watched the team all season and was most impressed with how well the team represented the school and the community.
“It was top-shelf,” he said. “I admire and respect that about each one of you.”
Phoenix aids community
Counselor Steve Gross reported on two ways Phoenix Middle School is helping the community. One was the Phoenix Rake-and-Run program. Students spent 90 minutes in leadership activities and then offered free raking services in the community during the first week of November.
The school has also opened a Care Center similar to one already in operation at the high school. Students can pick up needed items like clothing, winter outerwear and school supplies.
“We want to supply the kids not just to get by but to excel,” Gross said. “They walk out with their heads held high.”
Driver education
The board approved sanctioning driver’s education as an elective that can earn students a quarter credit. The program will continue to be provided by outside vendors and paid for by those who take it. The sanctioning of the program will cost the district nothing.
The benefits will be allowing students to get credit for the class and allowing the district to mark students present when they miss study hall to participate in the program. State law had required students to be marked “excused absent.” The district is trying to reduce absences because of their negative affect on the district’s report card.
Kiosks
The board approved allowing the district to pursue an opportunity to install 10 information kiosks in the district that could generate an estimated $20,000 a year in revenue.
The kiosks would be provided by Skool Live for free and display various school information and advertising. National ads run by Skool Live would net the district 20 percent of the revenue. The district could also run local ads and keep 100 percent of the revenue. The district can also sell school apparel or other items on the kiosks.
Logterman said he was concerned about the proposed five-year commitment, though he also said it would be difficult to reject $20,000 a year when the district needs money. Business Administrator Mark Powell was instructed to continue negotiations and the issue could come up for a vote at the Jan. 12 meeting.
