SUPERINTENDENT EXPECTS ANOTHER REFERENDUM IN GREENWOOD
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 -- 9:09 AM
To hear Greenwood?s superintendent tell it, every year is interesting, but there?s no denying this could be a pivotal year for his district.School budgets are never easy these days, but Greenwood?s have been easier the past five years, thanks to a $500,000 revenue cap exemption referendum, which is set to expire.
"Absent that $500,000, the district probably could survive two years on its fund equity. At most, two years," says Dr. David Westhoff, "either that or face significant reductions in expenditures."
He says he can?t speak for the board, but he would expect voters will be faced with a referendum in April. He also expects it will be equal to or greater than the current $500,000 referendum.
"The trend is such, with the enrollment declining, state aid diminishing, with the revenue limit increase reduced, I certainly can't see the district at least maintaining its level," he says.
Like many districts, Greenwood has made some well-publicized cuts in previous years, but Westhoff believes there might be room for additional maneuvering.
Greenwood voters approved the current referendum in 2005 at the same time the board was in serious consolidation talks with Loyal. Those talks led to a binding referendum that would have merged the two districts, but neither district approved the measure.
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