Tax to the Max
Word on the street…
The West Bend School Board plans to increase the levy to the max, which is now a 10.9% increase. Right now, School Board President Joe Carlson has the votes to pass it and has repeatedly said to others that he intends to go for it.
In other news, I have heard from some teachers that the union is doing the right thing and is offering a wage freeze for one year. Kudos for them. We should know more details next week.
The majority of school board members, however, plan to support the maximum tax increase irrespective of the union contract and take any surplus to the fund balance. The justification is that if they don’t tax to the max, then it will have a multiplying effect in subsequent years. Of course, what they always fail to mention is that jacking up taxes also has a multiplying effect because any future tax increase layers on top of past increases. Compounding cuts both ways.
In a situation where the residents are demanding fiscal constraint and the teachers’ union is being understanding, it appears that the majority of the school board is hell bent of ramming through the maximum tax increase. Take note.
Ok then, if this is true and does happen, it is time to circulate the recall petitions for gross mishandling of this situation. That includes Joe Carlson, Kris Beaver and Todd Miller (Corazzi and Van Eerden are already up for election this spring).
Each petition would need 25% of the votes cast in the district for Governor in the last election. I will work on getting that number.
Once they are ousted, we can field candidates that will lock down and not spend the “surplus”, lock down spending underneath the current budget and invoke more cuts than this board is willing to put forth.
Then and only then, Joe’s stranglehold on this community will be lifted. We can play hardball too Joe…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 16, 2009 at 2146 hrs
If that is the case, we’ll help with recall petitions. We need a Board who looks out for the best interest of the community and cares about families. Excess taxes burden families. We need good, strong families and not tax burdened families.
It sounds like some of the teachers are trying to build bridges with the community. I say, “Kudos”, too!! If we all work together we’ll see great results.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 16, 2009 at 2200 hrs
Good luck with that. It won’t be easy. If you really want to make the changes, start with the two who are up for election. Can you even find two who will run?
I’ll ask one more time: Can you even find two people who will run to replace the two up for election?
After the spring elections, if you have successfully replaced the two incumbents, then start circulating the recalls. You’ll have better weather for it and that usually means a better chance of success. Do not circulate the recall petitions without a firm knowledge of those who will run for replacement.
You may not like being taxed to the max, but there’s a really good chance you’re in the minority. When all votes are counted, it’s really hard to change the momentum of the status quo.
Posted by Cindy K on October 17, 2009 at 0748 hrs
Cindy, rest assured that recruitment process has already started - not just for the two up for election but the other three as well.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 0751 hrs
Heard on the street
This is really insider stuff
I’m in the street and I don"t have this information.
Which means this information came from the board.(either directly or thru a 3rd party)
Let me think
5 board members have been targeted for defeat or recall
That means either Tim or Bruce are leaking information to this blog
The community needs to know who the patriot is
Giving the public direct access to board information not available to the rest of the communty is a public service
and if they are passing this thru a 3rd-or 4th or 5th party to you- all those community stalwarts should be recognized.I think you got a great story- I just want to know which board member gave it to you
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 0901 hrs
Mark,
1) You narrowed your field too much. There are many people in and around the board, ears passing by, and notes that get passed around. It’s not like they are in a bunker in the basement of the White House. Also, things like some teachers offering to freeze wages are relatively widely known.
2) It’s fairly revealing that you’re more concerned with where the “leaks” are than the information presented.
Posted by Owen on October 17, 2009 at 0908 hrs
Owen-
it’s revealing that you danced around the question-and you did.Some of this information may be “out there” but not all of it is
You speak often of doing this governing in public-and I agree.
Your sources need to have the courage of your convictions (wordplay)
and speak up publicly rather than hide behind you.I have no problem with their convictions- just using you as the mouthpiece
They are courageous if they speak out- cowards if they don"t
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 0917 hrs
Mr. Tim Stepanski is the head of the stakeholder committee that is charged with keeping the public informed as to what is happening within the school district, within the board, union/board dialog(s), etc.
Rich, I do not see how a costly recall election will solve the district’s financial problems over the next 3+ years.
Will a costly recall election…
1. affect the change the legislature made in the 2007-09 state budget to have more state aid directed to the school property tax credit rather than directed to the school district?
2. address changes to arbitration laws that affect a district’s ability to afford changes in employee contracts. Arbitrators now do not have to consider local economic conditions and the existence of revenue controls when reaching a decision.
3. create majority support within the legislature to change the state school aid formula to give more aid to school districts such as ours.
4. address the $789 million in federal stimulus dollars used to replace state spending on schools rather than use it to fund the allowable increase for schools.
5. address the next 2-3+ years of state aid cuts.Owen has suggested abandoning two-thirds funding completely and returning support for the schools to the local level. This is an interesting idea, one that would demand, at minimum, a year’s worth of planning and clear/consistent communication to the stakeholders before follow through. Assuming it’s acceptable to all stakeholders, the district would give up millions in state (and perhaps federal aid), but the district would be relieved of providing a lot of mandated services that come with accepting state/fed money. For example, Frank Barney suggested in a past post an across the board 10% reduction in IEP services for special educ. This 10% reduction could be accomplished without costly litigation.
Meanwhile, our neighboring districts would continue to accept state/fed aid, and offer programs and services West Bend school district would not. How would this choice affect West Bend’s community population growth and makeup?
The state legislature will do nothing for us by 10/26, but there is ample electoral power here and across the state to affect change for the following years. Is that (and pressure on the school board) a better strategic move?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 1002 hrs
I hope you guys are able to pull off the full recall here. There are a lot of global issues that JPenterman raises above. But the bottom line is that none of those are going to get solved or even looked at until the powers that be see some heads roll on the local level.
Having the pro-tax school board reps be recalled and defeated would send a powerful message around the State.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 1045 hrs
Peterman,
The issues you brought up have little to do with the school board, and are off completely off topic. Those are all funding mechanisms and all beyond the power of the school board or the schope of this thread. What the school board has the power to do is cut spending, and lower taxes. And they have decided that instead they will keep spending, and tax to the highest levels they can. Your points were just a smoke screen.
I wish everyone the best of luck ousting this board. The problem with school boards will always be that the most interested people (teachers, unions, etc…) are more likely to both run for office, or turn out to vote. It isn’t until you get people like the group you have there, that show absolutely no regard for the taxpayer, that the average people get fed up and toss them out.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 1530 hrs
Getting recall signatures at the board meetings would be a great idea…
Posted by Smeety on October 17, 2009 at 1544 hrs
I LOVE that idea.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 1632 hrs
Mr. Penterman,
The way I see it, the electorate spoke with their vote at the Annual Meeting. The second meeting was reactionary to the results of the first meeting and from many accounts, not entirely members of the electorate.
To go ahead with a “Tax to the Max” strategy indicates a fiscal irresponsibility that I don’t think we can afford going forward especially during the next 2-3 years. When you can cut in places, especially in non-programming areas, but you don’t or won’t, that to me is poor and questionable leadership. So if an expensive recall does happen, look to those on the school board for making it happen, not the community at large.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 1819 hrs
Curt, I respectfully disagree that I am off topic. The fiscal problems are directly connected to state representatives.
I have asked one of my resources if any district used a 1/2% sales tax to pay for a school’s costs. I asked this because then the costs are differed to the consumer not the saver or the property owner (over the long term). The answer was “no” in Wisconsin.
Regardless of what one group said at the first meeting or another group said at the second meeting: With no ill intent, does anyone have a school financing plan for the next 2-3+ years? A plan that allows West Bend to compete with the Jones: Slinger, Kewaskum, Grafton, Germantown, etc.
Do Republican or Democrat representatives have a school financing plan for the next 2-3+ years? Looking back, what would Republican or Democrat representatives have done differently?
And lastly, how much would a recall election cost the tax payers?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 17, 2009 at 2325 hrs
Mr. Penterman,
I don’t have hard facts on the recall cost, but checking other recalls it looks like anywhere from $6,000-15,000. A lot less than some of the non-programming cuts being left on the table just this year and a great deal less than the lack of non-programming cuts over the next 2-3 years. So for instance, spending $15,000 now would be far less than $150,000 ($50,000 x 3) over the next three years of not fully scaling back the day to day cleaning on the buildings. As I see it, that’s a $135,000 dollar savings to the taxpayers or $135,000 that can be used on programming with no tax increase.
As for a spending plan, imagine being at the forefront of affordable education for the state. Instead of us following the big spenders’ leads, they followed ours. Then a redistribution of state tax dollars and even a tax reduction would go a long way.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 0521 hrs
Rich is correct in that the (possible) $15,000 for a recall would be moot on the point that the overall savings with this strategy is worth it in the long run. I suspect by replacing those who are nonsupportive of the school district taxpayers/community we will see much more benefit than just financial savings. A frugal school district is attractive. The threats to combine schools and close the pool, etc., etc., have reached the level of deception and parents will soon learn they have been duped by a school board who is taking them for a ride. Regaining the trust of the local taxpayers and restoring the integrity of the board needs to come first.
Count us in to help with a recall. As for replacing the empty seats, rest assured….
Posted by GAMazy on October 18, 2009 at 1412 hrs
Then again, maybe everyone and their mother will make a run for it and “crowd the field” so that there has to be a primary. By the time the “herd is thinned”, who knows who will be left standing. Maybe some inexperienced “pro-school” types? If enough people run in the primary, would certainly make it a 50/50 possibility.
And just think, maybe the “pro-school” types (maybe with help from the library supporters) can start a recall drive when Tim Stepanski has been in office a year!! Repeat the cycle, as it were.
This could be so much fun.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 1648 hrs
School board elections don’t have primaries. If there are two seats open, everyone goes on the ballot and the top two win.
Posted by Owen on October 18, 2009 at 1652 hrs
Penterman,
While you may think you are on the same topic, I can’t follow how any of your points has any bearing on the school board. The school board can’t change state funding, they can’t enact a sales tax, and in the end, even if they could, that wouldn’t address the point.
The school board has gone on record not wanting to make very sensible cuts that they have in front of them, and is going to push through the maximum tax increase that law allows. People have every right to be enraged at that behavior. And keeping spending at an appropriate level is important to a school board, regrardless of the funding mechanisms.
And as for Mr. Maley. Badgering Owen about his sources serves no purpose other than to make people question your motives. Knowing his source doesn’t change the facts. It just gives people a target.
Owen, you shouldn’t have even responded to a question about your sources. That question was out of bounds and should have been called out as such.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 1718 hrs
Little: Just an FYI, library supporters do not = Stepanski/recall/any other supporters. That’s a pretty broad generalization and very revealing about yourself.
Posted by GAMazy on October 18, 2009 at 1720 hrs
For other municipal and school district officers, if more than two persons compete for an office, a recall primary is required. The names of the two persons receiving the highest number of votes in the primary are certified to appear on the ballot in the recall election. However, if any person receives a majority of the total number of votes cast in the primary, the recall election may not be held. If the incumbent receives a majority of the votes, he or she retains the office for remainder of the term. If another candidate receives a majority of the votes, that candidate is elected to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term of the incumbent. [s. 9.10 (4) (f), Stats.]
http://libcd.law.wisc.edu/~wilc/sb/sb_2004_07.pdf
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 1800 hrs
Ah, you were talking about a recall. That wasn’t clear in your comment. I was talking about the normal election in April. My bad.
Posted by Owen on October 18, 2009 at 1805 hrs
I think the public would welcome and support a recall. The people came in numbers to the first meeting to speak into deaf ears.Word was spread by bloggers and local radio, kinda a hail mary as the meeting came closer but it did work and worked well
Now imagine the force of a public who has been used as a doormat by the district with time to organize and establish a proper game plan, its a cake walk. Whatever I can muster count me in.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 1840 hrs
you were talking about a recall. That wasn’t clear in your comment
Good wiggle there.
13 of the 16 preceding comments reference recall elections.
Maybe your comment should have indicated that you had switched back (?although comment #1 led off on the topic of recall) to a discussion of the regular election process.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 1852 hrs
Clearly your little nutz are symptom of being a big dick. Good to know.
Carry on.
Posted by Owen on October 18, 2009 at 1858 hrs
Littlenutz,
That was uncalled for and rude on my part. I’m sorry. Thank you for your comments.
Posted by Owen on October 18, 2009 at 1934 hrs
Recall: 8,691 signatures = an organization of 150 could do the job.
Posted by GAMazy on October 18, 2009 at 2135 hrs
Littlenutz, since so many at the second meeting were non-voting students and/or school district staff/employees, I don’t think the cycle would repeat. I just don’t think that support is there.
As for getting the signatures, I guess the next move is the board’s - my guess is they will vote for the “tax to the max” and when/if a recall is initiated, they will play the martyr - “I went down doing what was right” or some other lame excuse.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 2235 hrs
I simply think the passion expressed here could be put towards a more productive, long term goal.
In one hour I contacted every Wis State Senator and Representative regarding the dysfunctional Wisconsin school funding system that has forced the WB School District to make $2,000,000 in cuts earlier this year, additional cuts in the coming weeks, and several million dollars in new cuts next year.
I requested that they introduce legislation to restore an increase in the low-revenue ceiling aids.
If voters do not contact their representatives and if representatives do not fix this problem, it does not matter whoever is on the school board next year: Those people will be faced with the same choice of raising taxes and/or making cuts, because the representatives’ constituents indicated they accepted the current school funding system through their silent majority.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 2240 hrs
JPenterman,
That needs to be coupled with not overspending at the local level. I have contacted my Rep and Senator (frankly, others will not listen to you if you are not in their district).
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 18, 2009 at 2249 hrs
Jason,
So in one hour you contacted 132 representatives? Let’s see, that’s about 45 seconds per contact. Those must have been meaningful conversations. I assume you mean that you sent a letter or email. Good for you.
Rich2 is right. We only have real influence over our own representatives, all of whom voted against the last budget and school funding formula.
Posted by Owen on October 18, 2009 at 2304 hrs
It makes no difference. 12.9% or 9.9% it is still too much.
The tax increase should be pegged to inflation. 0%
As far as the state goverment cuts -yea they suck. They should all be recalled also. We have money for trips to China and trains but cuts to the schools. Why did they cut school funding and not other pork barrel spending, Because they knew the local school boards would do the dirty work. All elected officials that do not represent the people that vote should be recalledPosted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0622 hrs
A friend of mine pointed out to me that there is a page on Facebook called “West Bend School District”. Does anyone know if this is authorized and/or run by the district itself? Also, there is a recent posting on this page that actually asks people to “RSVP” for the board meeting on the 26th! Is this legit?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0719 hrs
Bueller,
The school district actually has a Facebook “fan page.” On the fan page, they created an “event.” Events require responses. Could they have gotten around this? Sure. Just post the event on your wall for all of your fans to see. Instead, they chose to create an “event,” which, in turn, sends out invitations to all the people who log in as one of your “fans.” Personally, I find it unethical and another step in the direction of complete lack of integrity.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0833 hrs
I agree with Reaper. Governor Doyle and his democratic friends spend, spend and spend so they must tax, tax and tax. The know that most school boards will not stand up to them and will simply pass the buck (pardon my pun) to the taxpayers. That means more taxes for us to pay.
Thanks to talk radio and blogs like this we know about a lot of their outrageous spending. How many know that the state of Wisconsin gives at least 6 million dollars each year to Planned Parenthood (and Gov. Doyle’s budget just increased that amount). As the largest abortion provider in the nation, are they cutting their own throats? Killing the babies who will one day have to fund their spending?Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0839 hrs
What is the percent of the budget that makes up salaries (mostly teacher salaries)? I’ve heard 80%. If that is true, and no doubt it is close to that, we can easily solve budget problems by dealing with that issue alone. WEAC, we want to have local control back so we as a community can make our own decisions about teacher salaries. We’ve seen the damage unions have caused in other areas of business. School districts are not immune to big union problems.
Le’ts BEGIN to get to the heart of the problem here. The School Board and Superintendent are side-tracking one real issue.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0901 hrs
I am looking at the proposed budget the district handed out at the Sept. 28 meeting. It includes a 7.73% increase in teacher salaries.
WHAT?? It is no wonder they can’t balance their budget! Who else is even thinking about such a huge pay raise??Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0914 hrs
Recall: 8,691 signatures = an organization of 150 could do the job.
Posted by GAMazy on October 18, 2009 at 2135 hrsYou will never get that many signatures and the board members know it.
But 150 people standing up, one by one, at a board meeting and demanding that an individual quit might accomplish something. Of course, the risk is that if someone does quit, the others get to pick his successor.
The sad reality, though, is that the lawmakers in Madison are the culprits and they’ve insulated themselves from the anger of local taxpayers. We’re forced to vent against our neighbors who volunteered for this hard duty, and yes I agree with the many who are saying “put your money where your mouth is and run for the job yourself.” 99.9% of the people cannot be bothered, it’s easier to armchair quarterback than to actually do the hard work it takes to play in the game. That’s my biggest problem with the talking heads on the radio and others who fancy themselves as equivalents: not a one of them has ever served in a public office yet they’re eager to heap criticism on those who do.
I find it hilarious that so many are saying “don’t tax to the max” when the board has been doing exactly that for years, you just didnt realize it because of the kickback from Madison. Now Madison has scaled back their kickback to you, and it hurts.
one comment on what has been posted by others:
* There is no way that the WEAC state union is going to allow the local to take a 0% increase, or even a modest one. It’s naive to think otherwise. WEAC didn’t spend millions of dollars to buy the votes to repeal the QEO and change the arbitration language just to allow less than they got before.I have a challenge for everyone who has been hitting this blog with comments: explain to us all how the state funding equation works, what led to West Bend School District getting a smaller kickback, and what might be done to enlarge the kickback in future years.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0920 hrs
I just saw a lie in the information the district has been giving out. On front page of the Tax Levy Update dated Oct. 6, 2009 it states, “Almost all of the increase in the 2009-10 district budget occurred from the loss in state aid.”
Not true, in other words, a lie.
Teacher salaries in this budget increased by $2,745,501. That is MORE than the supposed loss of state aid.
AND, what will happen if the teachers negotiate for less than the proposed amount?
TOO MANY unanswered questions. Is someone trying to pull the wool over our eyes?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0923 hrs
Curt
Thanks for the Post
I doubt if I ruined Own’s weekend with my Q. Football may !(my alma mater now leads all college football in consecutive losses so I know his pain.)
I asked a question-and he ducked.
I do the same myself sometimes .
All I ask is that if it’s information the public SHOULD HAVE
either
A)the board member should announce it themselves
B)the board member gets Owen and I on a conference call so both sides are made aware of the latest and greatest.
It’s Kind of Like giving both teams a chance to score in overtime in football- it’s just the right thing to do!
MHMPosted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0925 hrs
Mark, if you want to know something why don’t you call district offices or the board members yourself? That is what we do when we have questions.
BTW, let’s not forget about lies coming from the district literature. SPIN at best. SAD.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0931 hrs
Nice rule, but no can do, MHM. Bloggers do not have to bow to anyone’s rules just because someone doesn’t like it that the public got to know a piece of vital information. Darned public, anyway! They are such pests, aren’t they, Mark?
Posted by GAMazy on October 19, 2009 at 0948 hrs
Here’s another misrepresentation in the Tax Levy Update dated 10/6/09 and published by the superintendent:
Next year, the district will lose at least another $2.4 million in state aid.
That’s not true at all. The total amount of state equalization aid for the next school year was held at the same amount as this year, via the 2 year budget bill that passed in June 2009. The amount of aid that any school district gets, aka their share of the kickback pie, varies from year to year. No one is going to know what their share is until next spring. It would have been more accurate for her to say that the $2.4 million won’t be reinstated next year, or that the amount of aid next year will still be around $2.4 million less than it was for 2008-2009, but to say that the school district is going to get a cummulative reduction is irresponsible at best, and probably more like incompetetent overall. Maybe Herdrich is just basing her statement on something that was told to her by another administrator, or some group she belongs to, but that doesn’t matter. She said it here.
I am sure that quite a few of the school board members are reading this blog and the comments. Here’s my suggestion for the day: QUIT HIDING. PUBLISH THE WHOLE BUDGET IN A PROMINENT PLACE ON [U]OUR[/U] SCHOOL WEBSITE.
oh, and have a nice day.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 0958 hrs
Ginny - Doing a facebook invite is “unethical”? Please. I agree with you sometimes, but you always shoot yourself in the foot with stuff like this. If they didn’t have a facebook page you would be upset that they were so behind the times.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 1229 hrs
Crazy: Don’t believe I have ever once claimed the WBSD is “behind the times,” so your statement is invalidated.
My issue with the Facebook game is this:
The WBSD decides to have a “fan page.” OK, nice. Postings of school happenings, awards, athletic scores, concerts - hey, I am all for it! Why not?I find it “interesting” that it was also used to send “create an event” (Facebook terminology) and send out invitations with RSVPs to their buds is transparent. Puhlease.
Funny how people keep changing their names so they can continue to hide.
Posted by GAMazy on October 19, 2009 at 1243 hrs
Facebook “game”? RSVP’s are a default on any event you create. I get invites to things all the time. The message hits your email inbox with all the details about the event, but there is no need to actually RSVP thru Facebook. I never do. All they did was essentially send a message to all their “fans”. That’s it. It’s not as deep as you would like to think. When you claim something as innocent as this is “unethical” you just hurt your credibility on issues where you ARE right. To wit:
Books in the library should be moved? Maybe. There is “porn” in the library? Ginny please….
This tax increase shouldn’t be approved? Maybe. (I agree it shouldn’t). WBSD is behaving “unethically” by sending out a Facebook invite? Ginny please…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 1413 hrs
Crazy One: Your ad hom attack is as transparent as the wind.
Nice try to cover for the Facebook faux pas.
Posted by GAMazy on October 19, 2009 at 1436 hrs
“Nice try to cover for the Facebook faux pas.”
What on earth are you talking about? Are you implying that I work for WBSD? I happily do not. They don’t pay enough. And if you really think a default RSVP included in a Facebook event is some conspiracy I’d hate to see how scared you get by kids in sheets on Halloween. Yes, Carlson and Herdrich sat around stirring the cauldron the other night while rolling up and smoking our tax dollars and were scheming to add an…. RSVP! How sinister!
“Your ad hom attack is as transparent as the wind. “
There is the Ginny we know and love - any disagreement is an “attack”! And yes, I am linking the argument to the person, because you are the only person crazy enough to suggest that an RSVP is unethical. I will no longer go to any weddings that ask me to!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 1454 hrs
Geez….I didn’t mean to start a “conspiracy” war here.
My only concern is this; since the Facebook page appears to use the same logo that is used on the district’s letterhead, is it safe to assume that the page is “authorized” or in some fashion run by the district? I realize anyone could start a “Fans Of…” page, but what if things began to appear that did not reflect the views of the district? Just my curious nature…...Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 1823 hrs
@Bueller08 - It doesn’t take much with Ginny. EVERYONE IS PLOTTING AGAINST HER!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 1835 hrs
Ginny said: “Bloggers do not have to bow to anyone’s rules just because someone doesn’t like it”.
The same could also apply to Cafe Press shop owners.
Posted by Wholier Than Thau on October 19, 2009 at 1924 hrs
Sockpuppetry is so unbecoming. Knock it off.
Posted by Owen on October 19, 2009 at 1936 hrs
Posts 30/31
Owen, I emailed the representatives; two got post mail.
Rich, Yes, state representatives will not listen (closely) from “outsiders”. I’m banking on a developing trend: They are receiving complaints from their constituents. One gentleman forwarded my email to my proper senator. Quite cool!Post 38
“the lawmakers in Madison are the culprits”
Thank you, FrankWisconsin DPI Equalization Aid Formula - A Three-Tiered Formula
http://dpi.wi.gov/sfs/tier.htmlWisconsin School Finance Overview - Critical power point
dpi.wi.gov/sfs/ppt/WASDA-FY07.pptGoogle: Three-Tier General Equalization Aid Formula
Lots of hitsPosted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 2050 hrs
JPenterman, I know how it works, I want to hear you explain it in your words.
and others explain it in theirs.
because I doubt that hardly anyone else writing in or to this blog understands it.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 2125 hrs
Frank, it’s been a while since I worked this kind of math. Thanks for the challenge.
This site is awesome:
07-08 Equalization Aid Tier Explanation
dpi.wi.gov/sfs/xls/equalbargraph.xls
the 3-tiered formula, West Bend, 2008-2009WB student cost: $8,634.84 (District budget / students)
Tier I of III.
addresses the first $0- $1,000 of state aidWB per member value: $653,039
= property value in district $4,560,168,692
Divided by 6,983 students
Compared to…
WI per member value
= Value of property within WI
Divided by # of students$1,000.00 Cost Sharing 100.0%
$661.60 Equal Aid 66.2%
$338.40 Local Support 33.8%Tier II of III. (State-determined secondary cost ceiling)
WB student value: $653,039
State per-member secondary guarantee $1,374,819$7,634.84 Cost Sharing 100.0%
$4,009.82 Equal Aid 52.5%
$3,625.02 Local Support 47.5%Tier III of III. Tertiary Aid Level
Primary 33.8%
Secondary 47.5%
Tertiary 115.9%State share % in aid computation
Primary 66.2%
Secondary 52.5%
Tertiary -15.9%Districts not generating positive aid at the primary tier do not get any Equalization Aid from the state.
$8,634.84 Cost Sharing 100.0%
$4,671.42 Equal Aid 54.1%
$3,963.42 Local Support 45.9%Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 19, 2009 at 2346 hrs
Do you realize that the benefits costs from fund 10 is an amount equal to roughly 45% of the cost of salaries from the 08/09 budget? This is from the DPI website for your last year budget:
Attn? Account Number Description Amount
110000 Undifferentiated Curriculum
10E-110000-100 Salaries 12,901,154.00
Total Salaries (100) 12,901,154.00
10E-110000-211 Retirement—Employee’s Share Paid by Employer 732,868.00
10E-110000-212 Retirement—Employer’s Share 600,627.00
10E-110000-220 Social Security 989,329.00
10E-110000-230 Life Insurance 45,445.00
10E-110000-240 Health Insurance 3,575,983.00
10E-110000-250 Other Insurance 41,101.00
Total Employee Benefits (200) 5,985,353.00
Our School District in Waukesha is proposing the same tax rate increase but the Freeman has not covered the story.http://springcitychronicle.com/
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 20, 2009 at 2258 hrs
P.S. Somebody may want to obtain a copy by way of open records request a copy of GASB Bulletin 45 acturial study for OPEB (other post employment benefits) costs to get a grip on what’s really going on here.
You’re seeing school districts now having to account for benefits negotiated as unfunded liability in the past and now required to be carried on the books rather than pay as you go. This is now required for all levels of government. It’s legacy benefits (retirement at age 55) ; all benefits paid out beyond pension.
Also, how much are you paying for health insurance? Our policy is over 18k through WEA Trust and our board has yet to bid out the contract even though the union permitted the board to do so last contract.
You want education financial reform? Create competition. State tax credits to families who send their children to non-public schools.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 20, 2009 at 2309 hrs
For the record, the above example is not a totalized number; it’s a department but the numbers are generally proportional to all teaching positions.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 21, 2009 at 0620 hrs
Looks like Carlson took someone to the woodshed. Gee….I wonder how Tim’s going to vote Monday night? What a joke.
Publication: APD - West Bend Daily News; Date: Oct 24, 2009; Section: Opinion; Page: A6
YOURVIEWSApologizing for boardsmanship
Over the last four weeks I have performed a disservice to the electorate of West Bend and to my fellow board members for which I wish to apologize. As was well published, four weeks ago Mr. Carlson and I had a disagreement at a board meeting that has sparked much attention. My perception of the event caused one thing to happen, my ego was bruised. This pride issue has caused me to act out of anger as opposed to digging into the major battle before us. It has caused me to try to get my message out in ways not reflective of proper boardsmanship because I thought I wasn’t being heard. It caused me to “want to get back.” For these reasons I first apologize to those who supported me in the election for my pride stopped me from working on the issue at hand. To Joe, Pat, and the board; I apologize for putting the focus on myself and not where it should be, the current budget crisis.For the current budget problems, I have entered this process six months into it. A curve ball thrown by the state in the 23rd hour has caused us to attempt to make yearlong decisions overnight. Making hasty decisions to fill holes would once again do a disservice to the community.
Do I support “tax to the max?” I support the board taking the time to make the proper decisions to not affect the programming we have, and to fully review every option, and to be proper stewards of what the community has continually given us – your money. I believe you will find this true with every board member.
Tim Stepanski
West Bend
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 24, 2009 at 0824 hrs
Apparently Tim doesn’t follow state budget progression. This has been coming for months and months…
What a jackass.
Posted by Smeety on October 24, 2009 at 1119 hrs
You hit the nail right on the head Smeety. For Stepanski to say that the “curve ball” was thrown in the 23rd hour is completely disingenuous. Anybody that even remotely follows state politics knew the state aid cuts were coming; it wasn’t a matter of them appearing “overnight”. His submission to the Daily News may make him feel better, but that’s about all it’ll do.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on October 24, 2009 at 1442 hrs
Total Entries: 19654
Total Comments: 129829
Most Recent Entry: 02/10/2012 02:32 pm
Most Recent Comment on: 02/11/2012 12:30 pm
Total Members: 9751
Total Logged in members: 0
Total guests: 107
Total anonymous users: 0
Most Recent Visitor on: 02/11/2012 04:28 pm
The most visitors ever was 538 on 12/01/2007 02:11 pm
Protected and licensed under a Creative Commons License (some rights reserved).