For the Madison School District Referendum - June 3, 2003
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The school district is asking to exceed the revenue limit specified by state
law by an amount of "up to $12.3 million" for only the 2003-04
school year.
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However, since the referendum question was finalized on April 7, the 2003-05
contract with the teachers, which included health insurance changes, has
been tentatively settled. As a result the amount of funding needed will be
at most $9.3 million. So while the wording on the June 3
ballot states "up to $12.3 million," the district is committing to raising
the revenue cap by no more than $9.3 million.
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The exact amount needed by the district is still uncertain because it is
unknown what the impact of the 2003-05 state budget will be on school aids
to districts.
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What is known is that the state revenue cap portion of the school finance
formula remains in effect for next year. The cap is forcing Madison Schools
to annually make reductions to its "same service" budget, that is, a budget
that provides no increase in services.
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The cuts for next year, depending on the unknown above, will be between $6.3
and $12.3 million. However, the district has committed to cutting $3.0 million,
thus the referendum commitment amount of $9.3 million ($12.3 - $3.0 =
$9.3)
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Since revenue caps began in 1993, Madison Schools have cut almost $25 million
and have eliminated nearly 250 full-time positions from its same service
budgets.
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An additional $9.6 million cut for next year caused the Board of Education
to schedule the referendum so that the community will have the opportunity
to decide the district's future course.
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So it's the community's choice right now, "a fork in the road" so to
speak.
| Some traits of a quality school district: |
If the $9.3 million cut occurs: |
| Highly trained, skilled teachers |
Reduction of summer training opportunities |
| Small class sizes |
Larger class sizes in middle and high schools |
| Strong services that support students, especially those in greatest need |
8 fewer full-time social workers and psychologists |
| Wide variety of middle and high school course offerings |
Less variation in non-core courses |
| Strong instructional program for students with disabilities (Special
Education) |
Fewer Special Education teachers at all levels |
| Clean, safe school environments |
Reduction of building custodians; moratorium on $650,000 in building
improvements |
| High quality and current educational learning materials |
Moratorium on purchase of a major portion (60%) of new educational learning
materials |
| Comprehensive athletics and other extra-curricular activities |
30% reduction in District resources, which means less funding and increased
fees |
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If the referendum passes and the district uses the $9.3 million, the cost
to the owner of an average city home, valued at $190,000, would be $189 for
next year only.
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The referendum is for only one year because the entire school aid formula
might change in the coming year. The Governor has committed to revising the
formula for the 2004-05 school year.
Madison School District Referendum - June 3, 2003