MARSHFIELD REFERENDUM NEARS
Thursday, February 14th, 2008 -- 11:43 AM
With a big referendum vote just a few days away, Marshfield Schools superintendent Bruce King says he's "cautiously optimistic" the five-year, $13.5 million referendum will be approved.The district is currently operating under a $1-million exemption that will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. King says they projected a $2-million deficit for the next school year.
"We've been running what's called a 'structural deficit'," explains King. "Our revenues are running at about 2.5% per year, expenditures are running at about 4%. In addition to the $1-million override, we've been cutting about $1-million out of the budget each year."
If approved, the district could levy an extra $2-million in the 2008-09 school year, $2.5-million the next year and $3-million the final three years.
Unlike other districts in the area, Marshfield has elected not to draw from fund balances. King says they have an average of $1-million, to $1.5-million on hand.
"We don't want to short-term borrow, so we've not drawn from fund balances to make ends meet," King says.
Last month, the school board made sweeping cuts they say will only be reversed if the referendum passes.
Among the eliminated programs will be 13 middle school sports, 14 middle and high school organizations, elementary band and orchestra, 14 classes and the high school swimming pool. King says those cuts total only around $300,000.
While some in the area have blasted the move as a "scare tactic", King says he's "100-percent certain" the cuts will be made if the referendum fails.
"Those motions took place in January, the cuts were made and we a balanced budget for next year."
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