Enrollment drop in Milton further dampens chance of referendum
Photo 
Bernard J. Nikolay
MILTON — An enrollment drop might be the final nail in the coffin for the possibility of a Milton School District referendum this year.
“Right now we’re going to focus on how to deal with the budget issues we’re going to be facing over the next couple of years,” said Rob Roy, school board president. “Things like the referendum are on hold.”
According to the district’s September count, the district has 37 fewer students than it did last September. That follows a 20-student drop in September 2008.
The school’s full-time enrollment, which counts all students living in the district without taking open enrollment into account, dropped by 38.
That number is a factor in determining the district’s state-imposed revenue limit. The decrease means the district can collect $120,000 less in property tax than it expected, said Dianne Meyer, district business manager.
District administrators now are trying to figure out where that $120,000 will come out of the budget.
Roy said the enrollment decrease was bigger than he expected but understandable given Rock County’s job losses.
“People are moving where the jobs are, and right now they’re not in Rock County,” he said.
Until last year, enrollment was increasing by about 100 students a year in the Milton district, largely because of growth on Janesville’s northeast side. The district created a plan to build a new high school and move the middle school into the existing high school building at a cost of $76.7 million.
But the school board put the plan on hold last year as the economic recession deepened, and it’s not likely to take it up again this year, Roy said.
Even board member Wilson Leong, an enthusiastic supporter of the high school plan, said now is not the time to ask voters to approve the project.
“Obviously with the economic conditions, I want to be realistic,” he said.
He noted that 42 people came to the district’s annual meeting, and the proposed 10-percent levy increase barely passed on a 22-20 vote.
“We heard loud and clear that people are hurting, so we want to be sensitive,” he said.
Instead, the board will focus on budget problems and reaching a settlement with the teachers union, Roy said. The union contract expired July 1.
“Those two things probably will take precedence over any new programs or any expansion in facilities,” Roy said.
Oct 13, 2009 at 6:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Touchy touchy mespl, but the only part of that directed toward you was the fact I was "on point." The rest was using a generalized set of numbers commonly being that of the taxed rate per 100,000 for ease of math. The number $30,000 was used by one of the posters. Assuming they really think a home went down 30% or 30,000 based on a 100,000 home I can easily say they are 100% wrong, or they are neglectful homeowners. Relax a bit and I think you will find we are on the same page.
Oct 12, 2009 at 8:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Nascency: Where do you get off calling me a neglectful homeowner? Where did I say that my home went down 30%? Where did I say it went down anything? I apologize for mistaking the fact that you said “total” as meaning total. Not total increases. I used 100k as a reference point due to the fact that you used it as your reference point when speaking amounts. The fact of the matter is that you have absolutely no knowledge of the value of my home. The last assessment was in the mid 200’s and I would never sell it for 30% less than that. Also I am not looking to sell my home; I never stated that I was I am not quite sure where you got that from.
Oct 9, 2009 at 10:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Ya no joke hey...
I'll pay $70k cash tomorrow for a home in Milton.
Oct 9, 2009 at 4:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mespl, my math is on point. I am pointing out all of the increases in taxes. I gave you the proof you need in those links. There is nothing you can do about what was already owed. I was voicing my opinion on the increase after increase after increase. When does it end? When do we pass on a city taxi service, amend the restrictive ordinances, and allow an entrepreneur come in and start a taxi business? When do we stop giving money & improvements away to bad business just for the sake of expanding future tax base? A healthy tax rate, well run city, and willingness to be consistent is all most businesses are looking for.
I just want to point out that homes in Wisconsin have not gone down 30%. Homes in Milton have not gone down 30%. If your home went down anywhere near 30% it is because you are a neglectful homeowner. On average, home values have been stagnant. There is a difference between the appraised and assessed value. Since the assessed lags the appraised, and has done so for years, it is possible for your taxes to go up even in a recessive market. Pete, your $30,000 number is either a typo or you are assuming his $100,000 home is poorly maintained. Either way, there are only about 10 houses in town worth only $70,000, and if he is stuck with his tell him to e-mail me. Homes in Milton that are anywhere near $70,000 sell fast. Especially if they ever topped out at $100,000. They may need some updating or care, but they will sell.
Oct 9, 2009 at 11:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
Sorry Nascency but your math is way off on the first one what you listed was just the increase. Just follow the first link. The article states, “The proposed tax levy is $8.09 per $1000 property value, or a $.74 increase over this year.” The school tax is $809.00 per every $100,000 in home assessed value. And I know my assessment went up this year.
Oct 9, 2009 at 11:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
Running total for homeowners in Milton:
$74 per $100,000 home -Milton Schools
http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/aug/18/...
$20 per $100,000 home -County http://wclo.com/news/2009/oct/09/rock-co...
$55.00 per home -Milton wastewater
http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/aug/19/...
$156 for trash & recycling pick up 2010
$??? City of Milton budget being worked on right now is estimated to be increasing $80-100/$100,000 at this time.
Blackhawk Tech is going to increase due to it's record enrollment induced by encouraging advertising. This year they will increase the levy by another 4.9%. http://www.blackhawk.edu/board/pdfs/2009...
Still waiting on the State increase.
The Lyke Gospel: http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/lykeminde...
Amen, brotha!
Oct 9, 2009 at 10:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
I agree with mespl. Milton's government is unresponsive to the real hurt of its citizens. It fails to offer us new real estate assessments that take into the account the 30% reduction in the price of our houses, and then it increases the percentage that we have to pay on our inflated real estate assessments. We get it going and coming here.
No wonder students are leaving the area.
Oct 9, 2009 at 10:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
“We heard loud and clear that people are hurting, so we want to be sensitive,” But you still passed a 10 percent levy increase! I am really not convinced that you heard anything, except for the possibility of more money rolling in. Yes, I knew the board was going to pass the maximum increase but then to turn around and say that you “want to be sensitive”. I don’t know where you pulled that out of but that is a load if I ever heard it. Try honesty for once it might be for the betterment of the whole school system.
Oct 9, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
Both the city and schools should open OUR checkbook so that we can see each and every expense. There is a push for this in the city of Chicago, and they already do this in Texas schoold districts. Let us see line by line where the money is going.
Oct 9, 2009 at 9:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
Here is another idea.
If families do not have kids of school age attending the local schools, why not exempt them from paying school taxes?
Oct 9, 2009 at 9:08 a.m.
Suggest removal
Milton repaved the parking lot this year. But instead of keeping it a nice open lot they installed a whole bunch of concrete dividers in it. Now it is going to be a pain in the a** to snow plow this winter. I wouldn't be suprised if costs 2-3 times more. Someone thought they had plenty of money to burn.
Oct 8, 2009 at 8:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Pete - As much as I appreciate a good comedy act, I think it's time for you to come up with some new material.
Oct 8, 2009 at 8:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Hey.....why not hire the "cons" from Rock County jail to move the snow, clean the schools, cut the grass, ect.
You would save tons of $$$$ there......Oh sorry....no can do.....guns are not allowed in school....
Oct 8, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Here's a crazy idea:
Let's collect a little bit of money from each adult in the district. We could build a building that will house all kinds of books and lab equipment and art supplies and athletic equipment that each individual family could not hope to afford on their own!
Maybe, if we collected enough money, we could hire qualified individuals to teach subjects that they have themselves studied.
If we collect too much money, we can start hiring "administrators" to oversee how the money is collected and spent.
Oct 8, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
I got it!! ALL kids home schooled untill ALL parents have jobs! Just think of the money "US" tax payers will have to support our own families,not the greedy schools.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.