P.O. Box 1222, Madison, WI 53701 | www.prodane.org | office@prodane.org | (608) 257-4985

August 09, 2006

November School Referendum: Your Input Needed

The Madison Metropolitan School Board has voted to go to referendum on the November ballot. The Board was unanimous in deciding to request $23.5 million in new spending. The decision followed an intensive review of other alternatives for managing budget cuts. The total MMSD budget is $332 million.

You'll recall that in 2005, citizens were asked three referendum questions totaling $48.1 million. Voters authorized $26.2 million for on-going maintenance but defeated $14.5 million for a new school adjacent to Leopold School and a $7.4 million increase in the Operating Budget.


This time, there will be one question asking for money for the following:

  1. $17.7 million to construct a new elementary school on the far west side;
  2. $2.7 million to refinance the new addition to Leopold School;
  3. $3.1 million to refinance the purchase of Sprecher land (intended for a future school on the far east side) and the Hawthorne and 2002 Leopold additions.
Debt service for items 2 and 3 is currently being paid out of the Operating Budget. The refinance proposals will allow the Board to move almost $877,000 out of next year’s Operating Budget, and lesser amounts in future years. The state revenue caps would not apply to the refinance cost. The money can be used to restore some of the cuts that were made to balance the 2006-07 budget.

The tax impact on the average home in Madison ($239,400) would be $21 per year for 20 years:

  1. New school: $15.57
  2. New Leopold addition: $2.43
  3. Sprecher/Hawthorne/2002 Leopold: $2.77

As they move to prepare information for the community about the referendum, your PD-endorsed School Board members invite your input. If you have ideas about how best to explain the question or to reach all affected voters, please share them with PD or Arlene Silviera arlenesil(at)aol(dot)com. We're especially looking for your thoughts on three issues:

  1. What information would you like to see to help you make up your mind on the referendum?
  2. What questions need to be addressed in the information?
  3. Do you have suggestions on ways to communicate with the community?

Editor's note: Arlene Silviera was elected to the Madison Metropolitan School Board last April. She is endorsed by Progressive Dane.

Posted by prodane at August 9, 2006 02:33 AM