Suring School reaches out to voters

Suring School District voters in April will decide the fate of a referendum that asks taxpayers for $3.5 million over five years. The School Board on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution to exceed the revenue cap by $700,000 for each of the next five years beginning with the 2015-­2016 school year. The board then approved a second resolution providing for a referendum on the ballot for the spring election on April 7. “This is crucial for the district,” District Administrator Kelly Casper said. In December, Casper presented a financial forecast showing a downward trend in the district’s fund balance, leaving the district in the red by the 2017-­2018 school year. For the 2013-14 school year, the district showed a deficit of $54,286. The estimated deficit for this year is $471,622, although Casper said she is looking at ways to save money. School Board President Dennis Piepkorn said the district needs the referendum money to maintain operating costs. “With cuts on state and federal levels that are coming down, we need to be able to maintain our level of education here,” he said. Approval of the referendum by voters would provide the district funding for operational costs, technological enhancements, such as iPads for students, and academic resources. “We want to be sure we’re meeting all the academic benchmarks with our students, put forward on state and federal levels,” Piepkorn said. If the referendum is passed, the increase in taxes on a property valued at $100,000 will be $56 annually, or about $4.67 per month, according to the district. “It’s a little over a gallon of milk per month,” Piepkorn said. Casper said she wanted to be sure staff, board members and the public understand what the district faces financially in the near future. “I want to get a fact sheet out to staff and board members so they can see why we’re doing this,” Casper said. She will also develop a brochure to be attached to the district’s February newsletter. It will contain information explaining why the district is asking for the additional taxpayer funds. She also plans to attend town and village meetings to reach as many residents as possible who might have questions about the proposal. The district will also hold a public meeting in late February or early March to share information and answer questions.