Montello Passes School Referendum, Schools Stay Open
Referendum Buys District Two Years
Updated: 9:42 am CDT September 10, 2008
MONTELLO, Wis. -- Montello schools have bought more time, literally.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportOn Tuesday, voters approved a two-year referendum 959 to 866, which will allow the district to exceed the state revenue caps by $950,000 each year and keep the doors open.District Administrator Jeff Holmes said school board members worked all summer to get the word out about the urgency of the referendum, reported WISC-TV."We've been able to hold conversations about why it's important to keep the district in tact," said Holmes. "That's what made the difference. A lot more people have been able to digest the information and are making informed decisions than they were prior to the other two (referenda)."Holmes said state funding caps and the school funding formula are running districts like Montello into the ground.Holmes said residents can't afford more and the school board has made as many cuts as they can.While passing the referendum will keep the district alive for now, it may still need to consolidate in the near future."Because many schools are in the same economic situation as us I believe we'll get to a point where they'll seriously reconsider the formula."Holmes said that despite the success of the referendum, the district will also moving ahead with a visibility grant study that will look at the financial impact of a consolidation with the Westfield School District.The study is expected to take several months.Deerfield voters approved a referendum with 61 percent of the votes to exceed state revenue caps by one-point eight million dollars during the next five years to fund programs, facilities and technology.The estimated yearly tax increase is $140 on a $200,000 home.Voters in Mineral Point voted no to a referendum in that district. With 65 percent of them placing no on their ballots the school district will need to look for another plan after the referendum failed.A referendum passed in the Weston School District that approved nearly $1 million for programs and staff.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportOn Tuesday, voters approved a two-year referendum 959 to 866, which will allow the district to exceed the state revenue caps by $950,000 each year and keep the doors open.District Administrator Jeff Holmes said school board members worked all summer to get the word out about the urgency of the referendum, reported WISC-TV."We've been able to hold conversations about why it's important to keep the district in tact," said Holmes. "That's what made the difference. A lot more people have been able to digest the information and are making informed decisions than they were prior to the other two (referenda)."Holmes said state funding caps and the school funding formula are running districts like Montello into the ground.Holmes said residents can't afford more and the school board has made as many cuts as they can.While passing the referendum will keep the district alive for now, it may still need to consolidate in the near future."Because many schools are in the same economic situation as us I believe we'll get to a point where they'll seriously reconsider the formula."Holmes said that despite the success of the referendum, the district will also moving ahead with a visibility grant study that will look at the financial impact of a consolidation with the Westfield School District.The study is expected to take several months.Deerfield voters approved a referendum with 61 percent of the votes to exceed state revenue caps by one-point eight million dollars during the next five years to fund programs, facilities and technology.The estimated yearly tax increase is $140 on a $200,000 home.Voters in Mineral Point voted no to a referendum in that district. With 65 percent of them placing no on their ballots the school district will need to look for another plan after the referendum failed.A referendum passed in the Weston School District that approved nearly $1 million for programs and staff.
Previous Stories:
- September 7, 2008: Montello School District's Future Uncertain
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