Progressive Orfordville residents,
Welcome to our world.
signed
Brodhead Residents

Two referenda.

thinkaboutit...Well said! I think we all understand that tax increases are the last thing anybody needs right now, but in these smaller communities, the long-term effect of a school district folding or consolodating would be devastating. Who would want to move to an area where a child has to spend 3 hours on a bus to get to school and use antiquated resources to try to get an education? School is not like it was for our parents and grandparents. The more resources a district has, the more students stay, the better they score on tests, and the more funding the district gets to keep the quality resources. I was in Parkview's HS not too long ago and it was embarassing. It should've been upgraded decades ago. The taxpayers' in the community have done themselves and their neighbors a disservice by voting no on the referendum.

I can understand people not wanting (or can't afford) their taxes to increase... but what do you think is going to happen if the district continues in this direction? Eventually, one of the following:
-families/students will leave for other districts (=fewer students and less state aid coming in)
-district will close (=tax payers will be paying taxes to another district, which will probably be higher still since Parkview and Brodhead are both one of the lower-taxed districts right now)
-the level of education will decline due to continued cuts and the reduced resources until there is no other choice but closing/consolidating.

Residents need to look beyond the current dollars/cents issu and the immediate future and think about the long term a bit. What will happen to their property values if the local school district closes? That is about all that community has!
The local businesses will be looking elsewhere as well.
Although the Parkview administration and School Board seems to be starting to address long-term planning, both Brodhead and Parkview districts have to take a serious look at what they want in the future to survive our country's current economic downturn.

This is about property tax and the economy. The school would like to go on as if nothing has happened to the local economy. I don't blame them - who wouldn't? The fact is that actual per capita income for this area has dropped by 40 to 50 per cent in the last ten years. Prices for everything have continued to increase, so property taxes have continued to rise. The people that voted against the referendum don't hate children or schools, they just want to keep their homes. How much property tax did you pay this year?

Also remember, this is that same school board that reasonly was heard at a meeting say "I thought we were only going to hire teachers right out of college because they're cheap". Great job, Parkview! What a positive attitude!!

wiexguy...finally a coherent comment from someone in the Parkview community. I don't think the community realises what will happen if a building or 2 are closed. 2+ hour busrides for some of the kids, too many kids in a building and increased class sizes. There is no feasible way for all those communities mentioned by fanoffun10 to consolodate. The kids would end up on the bus longer than they'd be in class. It seems as though too many in this community are thinking only about the out-of-pocket short-term expense. The problems needing attention won't go away, and that $250k gained by closing Newark is small potatoes compared with what the cost will be to upgrade and repair facilities each year the citizens continually vote against a referendum. It's sad to see such little support from the community. If I lived in the community, I would definitely run for some office to help get the information out to voters so they can make an informed decision.

Over 35% of Parkview's revenue generates from Newark properties. One should be careful when they start saying close Newark! The same goes for Footville. The problem I see is voters not educating themselves regarding the district's issues. They're not going away by simply voting no. Only prolonging the pain. I went to all the listening sessions and I could count those in attendance with my 2 hands. Very small turn outs, which unfortunately leads me to believe there is no interest to the general voting population. Footville had more yes votes than no votes and ironically there were less then 5 people at that listening session I attended. Sad. But we move on-clear the slate and start over. Anyone want to come to the next school board meeting? Or care to run for a seat at the next election?

close newark school should be a no brainer - get er' done already! The piddly money the school system is asking taxpayers to help fund wouldn't amount to much, but I bet if a referendum goes out to close Newark school, it will pass easily and why NOT for the beginning of next school year? It can be done and should be done. Until this happens, no referendum should pass because closing Newark is a no brainer - get er' done like I said and then consider a referendum the following year if funds are needed but not before!

Parkview, Brodhead, Juda, and Albany need to seriously look at combining/consolidating. These communities are struggling economically and it will only trickle down to publicly funded services (schools, police, fire, EMS, and street departments). I'm not saying ALL services, but the more the cheaper for the taxpayers.

I saw the pictures of the Orfordville High School on the local news. That place needs to be condemned. Has this district ever passed a referrendum? I don't think you can place blame on a school board or administration for this failed vote.

I hope that the school board will start to look doing something big with the school district. I live in Orfordville and yes I did vote for it, But I think that the school board and Mr. Luztke need to look at this. Close Newark,(already talking about) and close Footville. Then they need to bring to the district if they close them 2 (two) schools and build a new high school and remodel the other 2(two) IN Orfordville. I would be willing to bet that would pass. My kids do go to school there and yes they do need the help with the buildings. I have always said what is the price tag on our kids education!? To me there is not one. The school board has some hard times ahead of them. Lets see if we can get something passed like that and hopefully we can get the kids from Brodhead to come to our district.