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Nerad Recommends Referendum, Budget Cuts, Moving Funds To Cover $8.1 Million Gap
Nerad: Partnership Plan Balances Taxpayers, District, Student Needs
UPDATED: 7:39 am CDT August 19,
2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Budget concerns for the 2009-2010 school year prompted the Madison Metropolitan School District to talk dollars and cents on Monday night.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe budget shortfall is projected at $8.1 million.After a week of listening sessions, Superintendent Dan Nerad said he believes a referendum is a solution, but he's proposing asking for a smaller amount.Nerad told school board members on Monday night that he's recommending a three-year recurring referendum.It's part of what he called a partnership plan to address the budget shortfall.The plan would put a referendum on the November ballot for $5 million and would ask voters for $4 million in the two following years.Nerad said to make up the remaining $3 million gap the district would move $2 million from the district's fund balance, eliminate $600,000 in unallocated staff, which are positions set aside in case of additional enrollment, and make up the remaining $400,000 through other reductions, which he has not yet named."We're working both sides of this and in the end our kids need things from us, our taxpayers need us to be sensitive and all I can say is we tried every step of putting these recommendations together to be responsive on both fronts," said Nerad."We went in to this whole process knowing that there was the delicate balance between our community and a tough economy and of course keeping support for our students and staff in our schools," said school board president Arlene Silviera. "Although they are interrelated it's a tough balance."Nerad also plans to use an estimated $2 million from the district's community services fund to help pay down the tax levy and create a capital expansion fund.The capital expansion fund would be a new place for maintenance funds and would generate more state aid.Nerad estimates these changes, if approved, would mean a $27.50 property tax increase on the average $250,000 home.The school board will vote on Nerad's plan on Aug. 25.The public can view Nerad's plans on the school district Web site and e-mail the board with comments.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe budget shortfall is projected at $8.1 million.After a week of listening sessions, Superintendent Dan Nerad said he believes a referendum is a solution, but he's proposing asking for a smaller amount.Nerad told school board members on Monday night that he's recommending a three-year recurring referendum.It's part of what he called a partnership plan to address the budget shortfall.The plan would put a referendum on the November ballot for $5 million and would ask voters for $4 million in the two following years.Nerad said to make up the remaining $3 million gap the district would move $2 million from the district's fund balance, eliminate $600,000 in unallocated staff, which are positions set aside in case of additional enrollment, and make up the remaining $400,000 through other reductions, which he has not yet named."We're working both sides of this and in the end our kids need things from us, our taxpayers need us to be sensitive and all I can say is we tried every step of putting these recommendations together to be responsive on both fronts," said Nerad."We went in to this whole process knowing that there was the delicate balance between our community and a tough economy and of course keeping support for our students and staff in our schools," said school board president Arlene Silviera. "Although they are interrelated it's a tough balance."Nerad also plans to use an estimated $2 million from the district's community services fund to help pay down the tax levy and create a capital expansion fund.The capital expansion fund would be a new place for maintenance funds and would generate more state aid.Nerad estimates these changes, if approved, would mean a $27.50 property tax increase on the average $250,000 home.The school board will vote on Nerad's plan on Aug. 25.The public can view Nerad's plans on the school district Web site and e-mail the board with comments. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
