Survey Results
School Referendum News
WASHINGTON ISLAND, WI, January 28, 2010 – Following are the results of the recent Referendum Questionnaire:
Boxholders Mailed 395
Registered Voters 698
Responses 160
% Return 23%
OPTION #1
66 respondents chose: $292,700 base + 39 for Business/Computer Teacher
+ 41 for Teacher from part time to full time
+ 45 for Computers/Technology
+ 32 for Custodial Aide
+ 41 for Professional Development
+ 50 for Major Building Maintenance
OPTION #2
19 respondents chose: $292,700 to maintain the school close to as it is today
OPTION #3
19 respondents chose: $255,000 to keep it the same as last year’s referendum
OPTION #4
56 respondents chose: no referendum
There were many comments and a few letters submitted. All are public information and can be obtained by contacting a committee member.
The results were presented to the School Board at the Special School Board meeting held on January 14th. Much discussion ensued around the different options, comments submitted with the questionnaire responses, and other verbal input from the community.
This survey was not intended to be the only tool the School Board uses to determine the referendum dollars requested, but one of several factors they consider.
A common feeling of the Referendum Committee was that our students deserve the best, which naturally leads to Option #1 with all of its subcategories. However, after all the discussion and considering the difficult economic times, we opted to present 3 possible referendum questions to the community on the April ballot. The first 2 questions listed below are expected to be on the ballot, with the third question a possibility dependent on some research being done. These questions have to be formulated by the attorney, but the basics of them are as follows:
• Question 1 will be a YES or NO to the amount of $292,700 for one year to be able to continue operating with our current staff.
• Question 2 will be a YES or NO to the amount of $20,000 for the next consecutive 3 years for computers and technology.
• Question 3 will be a YES or NO to the amount of $10,000 for one year towards the purchase of a new (used) diesel bus.
The options will be voted on individually, meaning any one of these could pass on its own. There will be a vote by the board at the January 28th school board meeting finalizing these options.
During the discussion of these options, the board members present assured the audience and committed themselves that if either or both referendum question 2 or 3 passed on their own, they would only use these funds for the purpose supported by the community. The funds would NOT be used to lessen cutbacks in staff or any other areas needing to be considered.
Much of the other discussion surrounded the perception of the school and staff in the community. All agreed the students are most important and that there needs to be a concerted effort by all involved to be transparent, to address and be accountable to the concerns of the parents and community, and to work hard at making our school a school to be proud of by all of us. The School Board is committed to this and there needs to be the same commitment from the staff.
There are positive changes that have been taking place over the last year or more and over the next few months these will be presented to you.
- by the Referendum Committee
