Thursday, January 28, 2010

Bart Williams Withdraws From School Board Race

And then there were six.

Support Marquardt, Weigand for School Board

   The West Bend School District faces many challenges such as improving communication with and participation by the community, student academic performance, budgetary constraints (especially with high unemployment, limited state aid, etc.), facilities needs, compliance issues and more.

   Students are the ultimate customers of our schools and represent our future, and the school district’s shareholders (taxpayers) make it all possible.

   Because I couldn’t support any of the candidates who had filed as of Dec. 23 to run for the School Board, I threw my hat in the ring. At the time, there were only four candidates. That number has since doubled to eight, including two I fully support – Randy Marquardt and Dave Weigand.

   Randy and Dave share my vision that our School Board should be an independent oversight body diligently, fairly, reasonably and respectfully balancing the needs of all stakeholders – students, taxpayers, parents, teachers, district administration, businesses, etc.

   Randy and Dave know district residents deserve maximum value and effectiveness from their generous support of our schools. They will enhance the communication/partnership between the community and our school district to ensure educational excellence, responsible decisions, properly maintained facilities, and independent, accountable and open/transparent board oversight.

   They will effectively represent you on the School Board of your district.

   With Marquardt and Weigand, we won’t have to worry about expensive tax-increase referenda followed a few months later by the maximum 10.9 percent tax increase, all during the worst recession in decades. I welcome their common-sense, financially responsible approach to our School Board.

   I’ve had the honor and privilege of School Board service (one elected term in New Berlin before I chose not to run again for family reasons). I am proud Marquardt and Weigand are running for the School Board, and I ask all residents to please join me in supporting them.

   Bart Williams

   West Bend

(5) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1230 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Quitter

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 28, 2010 at 1653 hrs


  2. Just as good. I’m not sure we really want New Berlin thinking around here. Their mil rate is over 30% higher than West Bend’s, even after the tax to the max. They spend more than $1700/year/student than does West Bend.

    Posted by Charlie Hillman on January 28, 2010 at 1827 hrs


  3. For the record.  he has not really withdrawn.  his name will still appear on the ballot just like Carl Knepel.  That being said I have to agree with Charlie.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 28, 2010 at 1930 hrs


  4. New Berlin was in a better place when the 1993 school property tax levy freeze kicked in.  Perhaps the same freeze should be considered for county and city governments?

    New Berlin spends $10.08 average on schools vs $8.04 WB.

    NB taxes v. WB: WBcty +$1.00; WBcity $3.56; WBtech +$0.30

    Population Property value differences are significant.
    But so are New Berlin’s priorities if one looks at where percentages of the overall tax bill are invested.

    New Berlin,  pop. 38,649, 4 tax rates

    New Berlin SD       2008     2009
    State of Wisconsin   .1884     .1759
    Waukesha County 1.985       1.9373
    City of New Berlin   5.3538     4.9791
    WCTC             1.2277     1.1973
    School District     10.8162     10.2220
                  $19.5711   $18.5116
    SchTax Credit     -2.0403     -1.8113
                    $17.53     $16.70

    West Allis SD     9.4826       9.8978
                    $17.007     $17.2092
           
    Elm Brook SD     10.8471     10.4334
                    $19.6020   $18.7231

    Muskego SD       10.9901     9.8068
                    $17.7047   $16.2852
           
    West Bend pop. 29,894    
    WBSD           7.31       8.04
    City           8.477   8.535    
    Cty           2.9288   2.986
    MPTC             1.45       1.49
    State           0.18   0.18
    credit           (1.18)    (1.166)
                        19.17     20.07

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 28, 2010 at 2049 hrs


  5. Bring back Schimmels and Schuetz

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 12, 2010 at 1953 hrs


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