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NEILLSVILLE REFERENDUM NEARS
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 -- 2:04 pm
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
Residents of the Neillsville School District will go to the polls Tuesday to vote on a referendum that would allow the district to raise $300,000 more than the state-imposed revenue cap allows. The referendum would "sunset" after five years.
The caps have been in place since 1993.
"The revenue cap formula was put in place for five years. It was put in place to reduce property taxes," explains district administrator John Gaier, "Unfortunately for schools, about the 3rd year, the laws were made permanent."
In essence, the cap limits the allowable tax levy, which is the difference between the cap and the amount of state aid coming to the district.
The caps make it necessary for districts to seek voter approval when they feel more revenue is needed.
The cap is adjusted each year, mostly due to enrollment. And Neillsville, like most other districts in the area, is losing kids.
"We're graduating about 100 kids a year and bringing in between 60 and 70 into our kindergarten, so, it's a significant drop each year," Gaier explains.
"If we have just maintained the enrollment that we've had since I've become the superintendent, we would have about $2.3-million more revenue now."
We'll have complete election night coverage Tuesday.
On The Web:
School District of Neillsville: Referendum Fact Sheet
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