Madison School District Facing $8.2 Million Shortfall in 2009
Board Discusses Referendum Possibility
Updated: 7:07 pm CDT August 5, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- The 2008-2009 school year is one month away from starting, and the Madison Metropolitan School Board is already discussing a possible referendum.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportSuperintendent Daniel Nerad said he hopes a combination of tactics will help solve the looming $8.2 million budget hole.Nerad continued his discussions with the board on Monday night about how the district might deal with the shortfall.Nerad said he's looking at options for refinancing district debt or looking into leasing options for technology.But both he and board president Arlene Silviera agreed that the situation will likely require a referendum rather than just cuts."I can clearly say that an $8.2 million reduction would seriously compromise quality education," said Nerad. "It involves very significant cuts beyond which have already been made.""I hope people realize that we really are committed to evaluating programs, looking at different ways to do business, so we can increase student achievement which is the most important, but also do it in a way that best utilizes the taxpayer dollar," said Silviera.In order to make solid decisions about the upcoming school year, Nerad said he is taking a hard look at the district's past cuts.He reported to the board that the district has made $60 million in cuts over the past 15 years, with $35 million of those happening in the last five years.Nerad said he's concerned that more cuts might be the tipping point for quality education.Looking ahead to the future, Nerad said the budget projection for 2010 seems to have a $6 million shortfall and a $5.1 million deficit in 2011.A public hearing on the possible school referendum is scheduled for Aug. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Warner Park Community Center, and on Aug. 14 at Memorial High School.Nerad will present his recommendations on Aug. 18 with the board scheduled to act on them during the Aug. 25 meeting.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportSuperintendent Daniel Nerad said he hopes a combination of tactics will help solve the looming $8.2 million budget hole.Nerad continued his discussions with the board on Monday night about how the district might deal with the shortfall.Nerad said he's looking at options for refinancing district debt or looking into leasing options for technology.But both he and board president Arlene Silviera agreed that the situation will likely require a referendum rather than just cuts."I can clearly say that an $8.2 million reduction would seriously compromise quality education," said Nerad. "It involves very significant cuts beyond which have already been made.""I hope people realize that we really are committed to evaluating programs, looking at different ways to do business, so we can increase student achievement which is the most important, but also do it in a way that best utilizes the taxpayer dollar," said Silviera.In order to make solid decisions about the upcoming school year, Nerad said he is taking a hard look at the district's past cuts.He reported to the board that the district has made $60 million in cuts over the past 15 years, with $35 million of those happening in the last five years.Nerad said he's concerned that more cuts might be the tipping point for quality education.Looking ahead to the future, Nerad said the budget projection for 2010 seems to have a $6 million shortfall and a $5.1 million deficit in 2011.A public hearing on the possible school referendum is scheduled for Aug. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Warner Park Community Center, and on Aug. 14 at Memorial High School.Nerad will present his recommendations on Aug. 18 with the board scheduled to act on them during the Aug. 25 meeting.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
