(Madison) “district officials are still determining how they would use the money”
Less is clear with the district’s plans for the $100 million referendum, which would fund day-to-day operating costs, such as salaries and programs. Approving this referendum alone would hike property taxes on the average home by over $300 in the first year, the district estimates.
By 2028, the operations referendum would permanently raise the average homeowner’s property taxes by nearly $1,050 annually. That cost could be on top of hundreds of dollars annually for the district’s facilities referendum and a $22 million property tax increase sought by the city government.
On Sept. 30, the Cap Times asked district spokesman Ian Folger to further clarify the district’s goals for the operating referendum. Folger said the district is currently using one-time sources of funding to pay for about $47 million in operating costs, such as staff salaries. Money from the referendum could fund those expenses, he said.
The referendum could also help fund recent pay raises approved by the School Board. District staff received a 2.06% increase to their base wages under a deal negotiated in September between the district and the teachers’ union. Under that agreement, employees would receive another 2.06% pay bump if the $100 million referendum passes.
The total increase would be 4.12% — the maximum base wage increase allowed by the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission. Folger previously told the Cap Times that the total increase would cost the district nearly $13.3 million.
Madison’s well funded k-12 system and city government are seeking substantial 607M+ tax and spending increases via referendum this fall.
Madison taxpayers of long supported far above average K – 12 spending.
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?
