Why does the school district need a referendum?

By David Novy, Superintendent, Brodhead School District

The Brodhead School District will present a referendum on April 5, seeking permission to exceed revenue caps for the purpose of maintaining current programs and facilities.

The referendum is being presented as an alternative to program and maintenance cuts that will otherwise be necessary to help balance the budget.

Revenue caps were put in place by the State Legislature in 1993, intended as a temporary tool for controlling property taxes.

The state mandates what districts can spend, limiting increases to a level less than the rate of inflation. Unfortunately, they do nothing to help limit our expenses, and often worsen our problem by mandating new programs without providing funding for them. Thus, over time, expenses outpace revenues, and local school boards are left with the challenge of tighter and tighter budgets each year.

Budget shortfalls are an issue that schools all over the state have been dealing with for years, and Brodhead is not immune to that problem. Three years ago, the district asked for and received $950,000 a year for three years to maintain facilities and programs.

Pick up the Mar. 16th print edition for full story….