More Referenda Views

Sandy Cullen talks with a number of local players, including Art Rainwater, Roger Price along with both supporters and opponents of the 5/24 Referenda vote.

Cullen also mentions the very high taxpayer cost for these initiatives, due to the State's equalization formula. For each $1.00 in new spending, the District must tax Madison homeowners $1.60! Essentially, as local spending exceeds state averages, the State reduces aid.

I find the support that Madison has shown for local education remarkable. Consider:

• Madison spends an average of $13K per student, 25% more than the state average.
• The District's annual budget has increased from roughly $193M 10 years ago to $319M this year while enrollment has remained flat (Demographics have changed, of course)
• Madison has many active volunteers who devote their time to local education efforts.

This support is positive and rather unique. The debate, in my view, is when we collectively reach the (tipping) point where piling more and more on the property taxpayer effectively erodes this essential support. I also think the District could significantly improve the transparency of the budget process (one simple example: the implications on student programs and teacher staffing of contract decisions made months before the "annual spring cut/spending reduction list" discussions).

I think the Madison Education Community should create an initiative to change the way we fund local education. I don't believe a top down approach to school financing change will work. It may get passed at some point, but I doubt we'll like the outcome.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 19, 2005 7:13 AM
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