|
 |
2/12/2009
Is Appleton Schools referendum out of touch with the times?
Is this the time to raise taxes? Are there other alternatives? Yes. More on that tomorrow. Today, it’s information…
AASD has proposed two questions for a Referendum vote February 17. A yes vote will increase taxes on the state and local level.
Here’s Question #1 (I paraphrase, leaving out all the legal mumbo-jumbo) Be it resolved that AASD be authorized to exceed revenue limits by $3.9M for the 2009-2010 school year, by an additional $3.5M the next school year and by another $3.5M the next school year (for a total, by the third year of $10.9M every year from then on), for operating costs consisting of improving class size ratios and purchasing curriculum materials.
The tax impact on a $150,000 home is projected to be $83 the first year, with that amount declining to $21 and $27 in years two and three. Those declines are thanks to increased state money that’s supposed to kick in after the first year – in other words, at that point, it’s not only your local property taxes that are increasing, but state spending – and hence, everyone’s state tax dollar as well.
Pertinent info for voters
- Recent salary increases AASD’s union contract was recently settled for school years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 with compensation increases totaling 8.3% (4.5% + 3.8%), plus “lane changes,” bringing the increases to about 9% for the two years. These increases are “coupled with a voluntary move to a lower cost health insurance plan ($1.4M savings) and the termination of the teacher early retirement incentive.”
- Teacher salaries For 2008-09, average salaries for 9-month contracts (185 work days) are $55,870, with beginning salary at $36,430 and maximum salary (masters degree and at least 15 years of experience) at $71,742. (If you’d like to dig into National Education Association survey information to see how that compares nationally, the link is here.)
- Taxpayers fund excellent health plan The family health care premium for 2008-09 is $18,266 annually, with employees paying $913 of that and taxpayers, $17,353.
- Referendum to cover assumed compensation increases for 2009-2010 The contract for the 2009-10 school year has not yet been settled. The district’s referendum request of $10.9M over three years assumes compensation increases as in the most recent settlements and continued state aid increases.
- Doyle budget likely to restrict state aid increases Governor Doyle’s budget is projected to be released Feb. 10. The governor seems to indicate a continued support of education, but possibly at levels similar to last year, i.e., with no inflationary increase and at less than what is being projected by AASD. As Doyle said in his state-of-the-state address, “Staying even is the new increase.”
- Local taxpayers left with the bill If state funding is lower than anticipated, local property taxes will increase to stay even – without a referendum – and in addition to any increases that would be the result of the upcoming referendum.
- Fed Stimulus may provide funding increases Possibly offsetting any decrease in state dollars might be dollars from a federal stimulus bill. The house-passed version contains about $2.5M for AASD (in Title I and low-income program monies) that could be used to offset inadequate increases in state aid.
Ok. That’s AASD info. Now, others.
Much news from across the state and county reflects what the public and private sectors are doing to solve budget shortfall challenges. Just a couple of examples…Tomorrow, a suggested alternative, and why FoxPolitics opposes the Referendum.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
The Appleton Police dept is expermenting with Grand Chute to combine services. Other local public services have searched for ways to control costs (Metro police, Menasha fire).
I find it disappointing when other school districts are working VERY hard to control costs that Appleton is going to a dry well. I would be proud if the Appleton Area School District would show leadership for other school districts.
David (Thu Feb 12 07:32:07 2009)
Perhaps the AASD is showing leadership. By not caving to the easy fix they are courageously forging ahead with a philosophy that is good for kids and fair to teachers. Our current financial challenges will soon be history. The vision offered up by the AASD Board and the administration is one that is thoughtful, fair, and grounded in excellence. Let us not be timid where our children and future are concerned.
billie (Thu Feb 12 08:17:56 2009)
Jo, What nice job of summarizing the largess of Education and WEAC in Appleton, and around our declining State of Wisconsin. It all documents once again that "Education" et al does NOT live in the real world. The current settlement in excess of the 3.8% caps is a classic example. BUT, to then go back to the Tax Payer via referendum is beyond understanding. Keep up the good work in getting the real word out to the public.
GL Schilling (Thu Feb 12 10:22:35 2009)
What jumps out at me in this summary is a question:
The bulk of your editorial here is about wages. The text in your summary says that the increases are "for operating costs consisting of improving class size ratios and purchasing curriculum
materials.
Is this an ambiguous wording in the referendum or am I missing something?
If class size reduction and more pencils is the goal, that seems distinctly different from a 4.5 percent cost of living increase per year. If additional salaries are required for these class reductions that again raises the question.
My concern is for the students. It is typical that in a community with an aging population that the civic obligation to educate the young is seen as 'someone else's responsibility.' And so the schools decline.
In your alternative I would like to see how a decline in schools would be abetted or prevented.
Lon Ponschock (Thu Feb 12 10:26:33 2009)
You are absolutely missing everything Lon. 85% of the costs of education are personnel costs. What do you think "operating costs" are? Additional dollars are needed by AASD to pay for the 4 - 5% increase in wage and benefits that is anticipated next year and several years thereafter.
Jo (Thu Feb 12 12:41:35 2009)
|
|
Blog Archives
| 2010 |
  December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Solberg: Healing After an Abortion
• Basketball fans eyeing extension of Miller Park sales tax
• Nanny sex-ed bill goes to Doyle
• A first. Village limits pension contribution for employees
• Nanny State update: Toothbrushing mandated
• Obama pushes education inflation
• WI Investment Board votes to borrow to juice up returns
• So Republicans have brought nothing to the table?
• You have got to be kidding me
• Nygren: Governor Continues Terms of Failure in State of the State
• Sen. Fitzgerald: Governor down the wrong track at high speed
• Phosphorus is the new CO2. $Billions in Wisconsin
• More Obama giveaways
• A reprimand? Would you keep him on the job?
• Burri: Sarah Palin for Prez troubles me
• Quote of the Day – Obama after the pie-eating contest
• Populism, abused and trampled
• Fitzgerald: Senate Republicans Propose Real Job Creation Agenda
• Stripped down health insurance – it’s about time
• Ok GOP, scrap the Party of NO; time to lead
• No way Feingold is a Coakley. Is Wall a Brown?
• Burri: Conservatives off the chart for a RINO?
• Paltry quid pro quo?
• Doyle says ARRA has ‘created or retained’ 44,000 WI jobs
• Does most of the public fall for this stuff?
• When you get signatures, always get a couple extra
• Blame it on the outmoded computers
• Scott Brown victory does not scuttle health bill
• 8th Congressional Candidate Forum, Jan. 25
• Scott Walker Meet-and-greet, Monday, Jan. 18
• Aren’t consumers taxpayers too?
• MORE taxes on investment income - dreadful and wrong
• Join the blaze orange army and say ‘Enough is Enough’
• The future of government-run health care
• Tax on banks is a really bad idea
• Roth, Savard on the stump, grassroots style
• Savard speaking in Appleton, 8 PM, Wed., Jan. 13.
• Rahmlow: Savard, Bies frontrunners for State Senate
• Burri: Failing Political Correctness 101
• School contracts and Race to the Top
• Senator Feingold worrisome and big red flags
• Psephological?
• This is really important. Contact Rep. Kagen. Now. Please.
• This is exactly what we need from Governor Doyle
• This guy is my hero
• Why am I not surprised?
• Talk health reform with Feingold (Th), Petri (today)
• Give the Mayor power over MPS - if he can break contracts
• Burri: Yup, Dems really are going to bypass a conference
• The $2.7 billion Wisconsin deficit no one told you about
• Walker launches county accountability website
• Rahmlow: Why is Van Hollen dodging the Nebraska deal?
|
| 2009 |
December
|
November
|
October
• The Lawton-Bader files
• Yup, it’s the TAX LEVY, not the tax RATE
• Ellis: costly automobile insurance laws must be rolled back
• If not Barrett, who?
• The subsidy game
• Burri: Bailouts, Banks, Health Care, and the Mob
• Attend Appleton Schools budget meeting tonight
• A public option WON’T increase costs? That’s delusional!
• Appleton Schools budget meeting Monday
• Wisconsin should be screaming for accountability
• Burri: If anything, we need more obstructionism around here
• WI on the leading edge - in the wrong direction
• Rep. Montgomery: Utility Customers Join State’s Crime-Fighting Efforts
• Public Conservation and Recreation Lands Total 16.5% of State
• In the crow's nest of the Titanic, shouting 'Iceberg!'
• Is Rep. Nelson a political hack?
• Health care: The road ahead will be brutal
• Kagen's pandering again
• Birthers - good stuff for you
• How much do we bend over backward for seniors?
• The trouble with health care is paying for it
• Two-parent families: The Gold Standard
• Burri: Kids... the joys and blessings
• Very, very worried about health care
• Rep. Huebsch: Wisconsin is proof government health care isn’t the answer
• School district contracts push up tax levy
• What? Obama, the Peace Prize?
• TODAY - hearing on Campaign Finance Reform
• Appleton School District tax levy up way too much
• CBO report is out - and the bill isn't even written yet?
• So, how much do YOU budget for health care?
• Burri: Copenhagen trip was amateurish
• “Sotomayor, you have blood on your hands...”
• Cap and Trade. Always follow the money
• Rep. Kagen gets (almost) free health services
• I actually agree with Rep. Kagen
• Future Wisconsin Conference for Conservatives, October 10, Wauwatosa
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
|
| 2008 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
• Important votes Tuesday, including Appleton Common Council
• Democrats are becoming supply siders??
• Further debunking Hillary myths
• WEAC has created an unsustainable monopoly
• From Mark Gundrum: One of the greatest honors an American can experience
• 'Operation Chaos' working?
• Joe Martin the best candidate in Appleton's 8th
• State programs to cut? - Volume II
• Oh the naivete of youth
• Not just disingenuous - flat wrong
• Steve - you will be missed
• Make cuts only AFTER you're elected....
• Getting serious: What programs can we cut?
• Rep. Steve Kagen joining me on Jerry Bader Show today
• Rep. Van Roy: Dental Care Pilot Program
• Has Dave Obey turned the corner on earmarks?
• Speaker Huebsch: Governor turns down Federal Aid?
• Mark Rahmlow: "We're Broke."
• As taxpayers, how do we know if it's a Chevy or a Lexus?
• This is trash talk - about a veteran
• Frank Lasee: Take time to get the Compact right
• 'The Gableman Ad' - is it racist?
• Roth thankful, Kagen shaking money tree
• Gov. Doyle's office not enamored with Freedom of Information
• Governor Doyle will never do it
• Leadership on smoking ban? Not Hanna
• Rep. Van Roy speaks out about smear ads
• You're threatening me about potholes?
• Losing the Hastert seat is NOT a trend and NOT curtians for the GOP
• First suggestion for 'slashing' programs
• Big money-saver for municipalities
• More one time fixes. Nuts.
• Any chances???
• I'm doing the Jerry Bader Show, today, the 11th
• Representative Frank Lasee: Final Waltz of the Season
• Guest Blog: It's not the county's business to be in the nursing home business
• Yup, Hillary won Texas and Ohio
• Gableman/Butler race featured - and it isn't pretty
• Lies from Planned Parenthood and NARAL
• He who sacrifices liberty.....
• Duh.
• The Troha sentencing, Doyle and that $200K
• Guns, passion and "originality"
• How hard is it anyway, to shut down a government program?
• Voting is a PRIVILEGE. And so are property taxes....
• Guest Blog: Governor Doyle, cancel your Ireland trip
|
February
|
January
|
| 2007 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
August
|
July
|
June
|
May
|
April
|
March
|
February
|
January
• Lots of ideas. No money.
• The Cigarette Tax - "Poor Policy Instrument?"
• School budget Lite?
• Frankenstein - not in the library, but in the legislature
• A librarian, a legislator, a president
• $1.25/pack - NO, NO, NO, and NO
• Kagen and Reagan in the same breath?
• Menasha: behind the 8-ball, but not biting the dust
• Any way you slice it, Wisconsin government wants (further) in on health care
• The World is Flat...what about health care?
• The PAC - too precious to fail. Day 3
• News follow-ups: Appleton West, Kagen at the White House
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail - Day 2
• Fox Cities PAC - too precious to fail
• New Transit Tax coming your way
• Rep. Petri has his finger in the dike - I guess
• AASD Retirement Costs Burdensome
• Health care, health care, health care, health care
• Water rate increase was no slam dunk
• Education for all is just a bad dream
• New Year's resolutions from a parade snob
|
| 2006 |
December
|
November
|
October
|
September
|
| 2000 |
May
|
|
