BONDUEL, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After a failed referendum in April, the Bonduel School District is once again asking voters for help.
An election is set for today. The district is asking for $900,000 a year, for three years.
Signs encouraging people to vote “yes” on Aug. 1 can been seen in neighborhoods throughout Bonduel.
But WLUK found one sign asking people to vote “no” near Cecil, which is part of the Bonduel School District.
“I’m not a happy camper with them,” said Dave Reinheimer.
Reinheimer does not have kids in the district, but says he is voting no because of an increase in property taxes if the referendum were to pass.
“I think it’s ridiculous that you have to pay the kind of money I’m going to have to pay when they refuse to cut back.”
On a $100,000 home, property taxes would increase by $160.
The district held a similar referendum in April, but that failed by more than 100 votes. This time the district reduced the amount of money it is asking for from $1 million to $900,000 over three years.
“It’s a referendum up to $900, 000,” explained superintend Patrick Rau.
Rau said the district’s enrollment is declining, meaning it has been receiving less state aid.
“We are a low revenue district, we generate about $9,000 per-student.”
Rau explained since the state budget hasn’t passed yet, the school could receive more money and wouldn’t use the full $900,000.
“More support there and then that will lessen the tax burden on our local property taxpayers.”
Rau said if the referendum passes, some of the money would be used to hire four new teachers, but if it fails, the district would need to make cuts.
“We would have to go to the high school where we offer a lot of programming especially in the vocational areas. We’ll have to reduce in those areas, less classes for the kids to take.”
The final say will be left up to voters.
