By Heather Ruenz
Editor
The proposed $23.5 million referendum for the Whitewater Unified School District, one of the hot ticket items on local ballots, would, in simple terms, improve safety, security, accessibility and necessary renovations to local schools. The tax impact is estimated to be not more than $1.50 per month per $100,000 of residential property value.
Prior to deciding whether to place the referendum on the ballot, district officials sought input from community members via sessions and surveys, as well as the Citizens Financial Advisory Committee.
Ron Binning, co-chair of Whitewater YES for Education, a grassroots group comprised of parents, grandparents, business people, seniors, educators and other community members, said a ‘yes’ vote “is an important one because the referendum will help to make our schools safer in addition to providing more up-do-date learning opportunities; and it will help fulfill the American Disabilities Act requirements.”
Aurelio Callope, Treasurer for Whitewater YES, and vice president, LPL Financial Advisor, First Citizens Investment Services at First Citizens State Bank,” said, “The beauty of it is that, with the school district’s responsible fiscal management, the cost to tax payers will be minimal. By working to decrease its debt and capitalizing on the low interest rates, the school board has picked a perfect time to make these much needed renovations.”
“In addition to seeking input from educators, community members and parents, the Whitewater School District asked business leaders what should be done about our decades-old schools, and they clearly agreed that something needed to happen,” Callope added.
“It makes absolute sense to upgrade our learning environments that in some cases are 60 years old. We need to provide more up-to-date facilities in order to ensure that our kids can learn effectively,” Kristen Monday, co-chair of Whitewater YES, and a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, said.
A recent review of a large number of studies shows that improving school building facilities and infrastructure has a positive and steady impact on test scores and learning of students (from a literature review of 21st Century School Fund).
Dr. Praveen Parboteeah, Director of the Doctorate of Business Administration Program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and parent of two Whitewater students, said research “clearly shows a link between the improvement of school buildings and an increase in test scores. Kids learn better in safer, cleaner, improved schools.”
For more information about the referendum visit the Whitewater Unified School District’s website at www.wwusd.org.
43rd Assembly District
Allison Hetz, a Republican, and Don Vruwink, a Democrat, will vie for the 43rd District seat in the State Assembly vacated by Andy Jorgensen.
At a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area, the candidates discussed a variety of topics.
In their closing statements at the forum, the candidates offered the following:
Vruwink: “Our state needs to elect people who think in long term rather than short term solutions. Around the world, where countries have tried to solve their problems by cutting, cutting, cutting, it has never worked to solve their problems. We have to look at strategies in which we can’t just say spending is going to solve all our problems. We have to be strategies to fund things at the adequate level without breaking the taxpayer’s pocketbooks. Unfortunately, politics doesn’t allow you to do that very well but that’s the way that it should work. Now I know that if I get elected I will be in the minority, but even though I would be in the minority, I would look at trying to find solutions that Democrats and Republicans could come together on.”
Hetz: “This district needs a strong leader who knows the issues and knows exactly what they’re going to vote for. I’m very aware of all of the issues that are currently going on in Wisconsin regarding funding, education, you name it and if I don’t know it, I’m that kind of person that will reach out. Hopefully, I’ve shown that I can work together on both sides. When it comes to Nov. 8 on the ballot, even if you don’t want to vote for either (Clinton or Trump), your local candidates matter. Your local candidates are going to impact your date to day life. They’re going to fix things like transportation. They’re going to fix this like taxes. They’re going to work with you on education. That’s why you need to go vote.”
To view a video of the entire forum featuring the two candidates, visit vimeo.com/189013501.
