Middleton-Cross Plains School District Pushes $70M Referendum
Voters To Consider Measure In April
Updated: 10:26 pm CST February 23, 2009
MIDDLETON, Wis. -- The Middleton-Cross Plains School District is asking taxpayers to shell out the cash even in a very tough economy.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportIt isn't an uncommon story. Some area school districts are stuck in a very tough position. In last week's primary, there were nine referenda across the state and all but one failed. That was at a district from far from Lake Geneva, WISC-TV reported.Officials with the Middleton-Cross Plain School District face the formidable challenge of selling a $70 million referendum to voters as families are looking to cutback spending.There are three questions on the ballot in Middleton. If all three passed, it would cost the owner of a $200,000 home roughly $323 a year. Meanwhile, district officials said they're doing more to show off the importance of spending that taxpayer money.Kromrey Middle School principal Steve Soeteber has become the resident tour guide of his school. But instead of showing off the good stuff at his school, he's emphasizing all that's wrong with it."The ventilation and heating systems also go back to the 1960s," Soeteber said. "There are actually metal walls at Kromrey, which are kind of unique and that adds to some of the issues with air quality and water issues, and sound between classrooms.""There have been problems with the foundation cracking," he said.Rebuilding and expanding Kromrey is one of three questions on this April's ballot for taxpayers in the district. Question no. 1 asks for $34.75 million for a new elementary school and expansion at two other schools. Question no. 2 asks permission to exceed the revenue limit by $1.9 million annually. Question no. 3 is the Kromrey Middle School project, with a price tag of $33.98 million. The total burden to taxpayers is more than $70 million, WISC-TV reported.District Superintendent Don Johnson said he understands the position the district is putting taxpayers in during a very tight economic time, but he said this referendum isn't an option -- it's a necessity to continue quality education in the district."Right now, we have eight of out 10 facilities that are over-capacity," he said. "There's no question that the timing is difficult because of the national economy. And we'll have to do our best to educate and talk to people.""I think it's important that we get the facts out so people know exactly what the condition of Kromery is, what the implications are for the future if Kromery is or isn't replaced," Soeteber said.On April's ballot, there are two other districts in the Madison area with referenda questions. Both Reedsburg and Mineral Point are asking voters to exceed the revenue limits.The Middleton referendum is the largest in the state while West Bend is next with its request for close to $42 million.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportIt isn't an uncommon story. Some area school districts are stuck in a very tough position. In last week's primary, there were nine referenda across the state and all but one failed. That was at a district from far from Lake Geneva, WISC-TV reported.Officials with the Middleton-Cross Plain School District face the formidable challenge of selling a $70 million referendum to voters as families are looking to cutback spending.There are three questions on the ballot in Middleton. If all three passed, it would cost the owner of a $200,000 home roughly $323 a year. Meanwhile, district officials said they're doing more to show off the importance of spending that taxpayer money.Kromrey Middle School principal Steve Soeteber has become the resident tour guide of his school. But instead of showing off the good stuff at his school, he's emphasizing all that's wrong with it."The ventilation and heating systems also go back to the 1960s," Soeteber said. "There are actually metal walls at Kromrey, which are kind of unique and that adds to some of the issues with air quality and water issues, and sound between classrooms.""There have been problems with the foundation cracking," he said.Rebuilding and expanding Kromrey is one of three questions on this April's ballot for taxpayers in the district. Question no. 1 asks for $34.75 million for a new elementary school and expansion at two other schools. Question no. 2 asks permission to exceed the revenue limit by $1.9 million annually. Question no. 3 is the Kromrey Middle School project, with a price tag of $33.98 million. The total burden to taxpayers is more than $70 million, WISC-TV reported.District Superintendent Don Johnson said he understands the position the district is putting taxpayers in during a very tight economic time, but he said this referendum isn't an option -- it's a necessity to continue quality education in the district."Right now, we have eight of out 10 facilities that are over-capacity," he said. "There's no question that the timing is difficult because of the national economy. And we'll have to do our best to educate and talk to people.""I think it's important that we get the facts out so people know exactly what the condition of Kromery is, what the implications are for the future if Kromery is or isn't replaced," Soeteber said.On April's ballot, there are two other districts in the Madison area with referenda questions. Both Reedsburg and Mineral Point are asking voters to exceed the revenue limits.The Middleton referendum is the largest in the state while West Bend is next with its request for close to $42 million.Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage. Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
