School Board Pushing For Referendum It Doesn’t Need

Sheesh.  At least most school boards pretend there’s a need or manufacture one.  This board isn’t even putting the effort into faking it. 

The Clinton Community School District doesn’t need $10 million this year, but it’s going to ask for it this fall anyway.

“We looked at (a referendum) and said we could wait,” said School Board President Randy Gracyalny. “But the needs aren’t going to change, and the costs won’t go down.”

In many ways, the Clinton’s School District is like many others in Wisconsin fighting for a referendum this year. The economy is in the tank, gas and commodity prices are high, and it’s an uphill battle asking residents to shell out more money.

But while other districts, like that in La Crosse, now need referendum approval just to keep schools open, Clinton is trying to ensure long-term viability of its three schools. The district doesn’t want to be in a position of one day choosing between new pipes and new textbooks.

“These aren’t luxury items,” said School Board member Carol Wickersham of the items included in the proposed referendum. “We’re trying to be as fiscally responsible as we can.”

The items in the “fiscally responsible” referendum cover a range of options for the district’s elementary, middle and high schools, and those options aren’t cheap. They include new gyms, heating and cooling systems, and expanded hallways and classrooms.