THE REFERENDUM UPDATE: DECEMBER 2017

What is the Referendum For?

• The School District of Maple is asking the residents of the school district to vote on an operating referendum in order to continue to provide current programs and services:
  • To retain quality teachers and to maintain appropriate class sizes
  • To maintain current programs and extra-curricular activities at all levels
  • Be eligible for a $25,000 matching grant to help fund the high school Tech Ed. Department
• This is not a building referendum, it is not to add courses and it is not for curriculum.

Why is it Necessary?

• The school district is experiencing a steady trend of declining enrollment. For the first time in a long, long time a freshman class entered the high school at the beginning of this year with under 100 students.
• We receive approximately $9,500 in state calculated revenue per student which is the largest source (85%) of District operating revenue. It’s a combination of property tax and state aid. Over the last ten years, our enrollment has declined by 140 students, which represents a loss of revenue that exceeds $1,300,000 for one year alone.  Click here for more information
• Average enrollment at the elementary level right now is 88 students per grade level. At the high school, the average is 104 students per grade.
• If this trend of declining enrollment continues, we will have 68 fewer students by the 2021-2022 school year, which represents a decrease of an additional $640,000 in operating revenue in that single year alone.

What Will it Cost?

• Originally, the district was asking for 1.7 million dollars per year for five years.
• As a result of community feedback and input, the amount of the referendum has been decreased to a total of $582,000 per year for three years.
• The average increase in taxes will typically be $68 for every $100,000 of property value.
• Most of our municipalities have experienced a reduction in taxes in 2017 as compared to 2016...this is the result of increased property values and decreasing school revenue.
• For most households, even with the passage of this referendum, your taxes may be lower than in 2016.

What Has Happened So Far?

• More than $3.7 million in reductions have occurred over the past ten years by eliminating early retirement options, decreasing employee health benefits, eliminating administrative and staff positions, eliminating 13 morning bus routes, increasing class sizes, reducing building budgets and combining classes at Iron River Elementary.
• Community Meetings have been held this fall to provide information
• Information has been included in the District Newsletter
• Community Survey was sent to all box holders

What if the Referendum Doesn’t Pass?

• Significant cuts in staffing and programming will have to be made to offset the loss of revenue and increasing costs of operation.
• This will result in elementary and middle school class sizes reaching and exceeding 30 students per classroom.

What Happens Next?

• Two more meetings will be held at Northwestern High School this spring to present more up-to-date information and to seek additional feedback from the community. Dates to be announced.
• The District is currently creating a list of community groups and organizations that we would like to visit in order to provide information, answer questions and gather feedback.
• The District also welcomes any invitation from any group or organization!

Where Do I Get More Information?

• You will find the results of the Community Survey, answers to questions asked at the September and October Referendum meetings, as well as school board minutes on this web page below.
• For more information about any of the above and/or more, call Peggy Janigo @ 715-363-2431; extension 2264