GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Despite weather concerns, dozens of people showed up to Green Bay’s school board meeting last night to discuss referendum options.
“I don’t like referendums,” said Patrick Doherty, a former school board member.
“I’m 100 percent for the referendum,” said Sherry Madsen of New Franken.
The district is considering two referendums. The first would address overcrowding at east side schools and cost $68.25 million. The second would ask voters to exceed state revenue limits for regular operating costs by $15 million a year for ten years.
Katie Williams spoke to WLUK.
“I got more of the feeling from the parents not that they objected to a recurring, but some were a little bit more on edge about the feeling of a recurring referendum”
District leaders have said the operational referendum would prevent drastic budget cuts and larger class sizes, if money from the state is not increased.
Most of the people at the board meeting, however, addressed the possible overcrowding referendum.
The board had been looking at three options to address overcrowding.
It came to a consensus on an option that would potentially impact 19 schools. Those changes include building a new elementary school where Baird School sits. The option would also change school boundaries, but in the board’s view minimize them.
A district spokesperson says the overcrowding option the board chose removes the other two options. One of those eliminated options was to build a new 4K-8th grade school on the district’s far east side.
“I think this referendum that we’re putting forth really emphasizes that what we’re trying to do is invest in our young people,” said Sandy Juno of Green Bay.
The board is expected to vote on referendum resolutions next week, just before the deadline for each question to appear on the April ballot.
