Janesville school aid estimate drops
Photo 
Scott Feldt
JANESVILLE — Janesville School Board members got some new budget numbers Tuesday, and they weren’t good ones.
The numbers suggested the board could raise property taxes this fall by up to 10 percent, although it doesn’t seem likely they will do so.
“It seems like we’re playing musical chairs, and every time the music stops, the state has moved the chairs around, so we’re not even sure where to go,” said board member Scott Feldt.
Board member Greg Ardrey tried to make sense of some of the figures but in the end threw up his hands: “I’m in Commissioner Feldt’s position. It’s all gobbledygook.”
New estimates show that the district will get even less state aid than previously estimated but could raise taxes to make up the difference.
The school board won’t set the tax levy until the end of October.
The new figures stirred debate, with DuWayne Severson proposing that the administration be asked to come up with $1 million in cuts out of this year’s budget, which already has been cut by $9 million.
Severson’s motion failed on an 8-1 vote.
Severson also suggested a referendum in November that would allow voters to decide how much they would like their taxes to be raised and how much money the district should take out of its reserves to balance the budget.
“I think we are living in unprecedented times,” Severson said. “I think we need to make some unprecedented decisions.”
Severson tied the referendum idea to the issue of closing an elementary school. He said he would agree not to close a school if the board would agree to the referendum.
The board could have decided the school-closing issue Tuesday, but board President Bill Sodemann said he would like the announced public hearings on the topic to be held before the board decides. Those hearings are this Thursday and the following Thursday, Sept. 22.
This Thursday’s hearing was tentatively set for 6 p.m. at Kennedy Elementary School, 3901 Randolph Road.
The board voted 9-0 to postpone action on a school closing and the referendum to its Sept. 27 meeting.
Lori Stottler said the school-closing issue should be revisited and should include all elementary schools, not just the three finalists the board had agreed to—Harrison, Jefferson and Kennedy.
“Something has to be done. I’m not sure what it is,” Stottler said. Karl Dommershausen agreed.
Sodemann also seemed interested. He pointed to the fact that the district’s elementary enrollment peaked at nearly 5,000 in 1998-99 and was down to 4,223 last year.
The difference is enough students to populate two of today’s elementary schools.
The new financial estimates increase the maximum allowable tax increase to $3.4 million, a potential 10 percent increase on upcoming tax bills.
This is the second time the estimate has changed. The district previously projected almost no change in the tax levy. A state aid estimate July 1 changed the picture, with state aid going down but the district’s maximum allowable tax levy rising by $2.5 million, a 7.5 percent increase from 2010-11.
The July estimate was based on the district’s projected budget for last year, district Chief Financial Officer Keith Pennington told the board. The new estimate is based on what the district actually spent last year, and that changes the state aid formula.
The district spent $975,000 less than it had budgeted last year, plus another $2.2 million that was designated from district reserves but didn’t have to be spent.
Stottler said that the new aid and tax estimates are related to the fact that the district spent less than projected.
So for being good stewards of the people’s money, the state penalizes the district, an obviously frustrated Stottler said.
The new estimate shows $869,000 less in state aid than previously thought, but the district would be able to make up that amount through property taxes, Pennington said.
The maximum tax levy of $3.4 million would mean an $89 tax increase on the average home valued at $112,500, Pennington said.
Pennington warned that the numbers are projections, and the final figures won’t be available until the state Department of Public Instruction releases certified amounts on Oct. 15.
One thing that could change the figures would be a fall enrollment that differs from projections. The fall count is on Friday, but numbers generally take a week to be validated.
The board has already allotted $4 million from its fund balance to help balance this year’s budget, although it could still change that amount. If the $4 million is used, a deficit of about $1.7 million remains.
Board member Kevin Murray said that taxes or more money from the fund balance are the two solutions the board should look at.
Unless the board cuts the budget, Feldt said.
Feldt’s comment spurred Severson’s call for more cuts. Feldt noted that Superintendent Karen Schulte has said that further cuts would harm the district.
Severson countered that the previous $9 million also harmed the district, and he wondered why the district couldn’t come up with cuts equal to about 1 percent of its $100 million budget.
Sep 16, 2011 at 3:51 p.m.
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But we CAN'T close a school. Even though we have approx 800 fewer elementary students than in recent years. The Gazette had that horrible picture with the mother in tears. Do you like making moms cry? Don't make moms cry. Keep all the schools open! We should spend 15K per student even though it makes no rational sense. Because in the end, it's all for the kids.
Sep 16, 2011 at 3:51 p.m.
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In the last 10 years, Janesville has averaged .73%, yes, less than 1% per year, of tax increases to support the schools! Since this is way below inflation and our state aid drops when we tax less, we have essentially been making CUTS for the past ten years. We have hit the bottom of possible cuts! The cuts this year will have a negative impact and further cuts will be very damaging. It's time to "catch up" with the taxes to support the schools!
RECENT JANESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX LEVIES
Year Levy Increase (Decrease)
2001-02 $30.06 million (1.15%)
2002-03 $28.66 million (4.65%)
2003-04 $28.67 million 0.03%
2004-05 $30.79 million 7.39%
2005-06 $29.31 million (4.8%)
2006-07 $29.09 million (0.75%)
2007-08 $33.22 million 3.43%
2008-09 $34.21 million 2.98%
2009-10 $34.77 million 1.63%
2010-11 $35.88 million 3.19%
Sep 16, 2011 at 3:39 p.m.
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Studies from Tennessee, Wisconsin, and states throughout the country have demonstrated that
students who are assigned to smaller classes in grades K-3rd do better in every way that can be
measured: they score higher on tests, receive better grades, and exhibit improved attendance.
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http://www.classsizematters.org/
Sep 16, 2011 at 3:25 p.m.
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THose in favor of rasing taxes.... there is no data that links or ties educatonal gains to per pupil spend. There is no data that supports fewer students per class. Yet -- you are saying you are willing to pay more.... thats all fine... but what is more and when is it enough.... Its the same attitude that we see from Washington -- approve the spending and taxes and we will tell you what we are spending it on later. Then when there is a boom, teachers and administartors line up at the trough. At this point I see no justification for greater taxation and spending can and should be reduced. Schools should be shut based upon current enrollment and headcount should be reduced. We should be lowering the per - pupil spend or as a min. we should be adjusting spending to the new lower enrollment numbers. I feel that if schools need new equipment etc... you can go to the community and you will find companies and individuals willing to help. But just raising taxes because -- is not the answer.
Sep 16, 2011 at 3:02 p.m.
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In 2008-09, Wisconsin reported per pupil spending to the U.S. Department of Education of $10,938. What will the per pupil funding be under the antequated 15 year old formula that Americanpride wants all comment readers to research
Can a teacher educate a student when funding is at a 20110draconia level of only 10K per student? IF the state, like washington could simply print money-how much would be enough to improve graduation rates and improve student achievement?
Sep 16, 2011 at 2:34 p.m.
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An outdated formula or not, the board has not acted responsibly toward the schools in past years. They did not raise taxes when they should have and now here we sit. I'm all for not having taxes raised but when it comes to education that is a totally different matter. While the board may have been playing nice with the property tax payers in the past now they have to do what many other cities have done in the past...raise the taxes and be done with it.
I'm pretty conservative with everything but education as I understand it's importance.
Sep 16, 2011 at 7:29 a.m.
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I am disgusted by our board. You can't play "musical chairs" with the tax levy. The question is not about raising taxes, it's about the funding level that is needed in the district. The state is taking a haitus on their obligation to fund us, so we're going to double cut and refuse to raise taxes? Screw you school board. You have no idea what you're doing.
Sep 15, 2011 at 3:32 p.m.
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PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Research the state of Wisconsin formula for per pupil funding.
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Then, after educating yourself you may understand why some admit, that although it is painful and unfair, taxes must be raised.
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Again, this is not the fault of the teachers, administrators, school board or Gov. Walker. This formula is approx. 15 years old. It punishes districts that refuse to raise taxes ...that is a FACT!
Sep 15, 2011 at 3:11 p.m.
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Ezoner, that is the problem, the school board has already cut to the max without affecting children's educations. The other problem is the school that would be closed (according to the findings) would be Janesville's newest school! The school board can't have that! It doesn't matter that this school also is the most costly to operate. Not by just a little, but by a lot! But the school board can't have that school close so they choose to investigate how much it would cost to make if more affordable to run! At a cost of $200,000 to make it more efficient (last I saw). So don't sit there and say keep cutting, it's not possible. The school board dug themselves a hole and keep throwing people in it, laughing from the top.
Sep 15, 2011 at 2:03 p.m.
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I just got hired at John Deere in Moline Illinois.... I have a home for sale. I live on Lake Koshkonong in Sumner township. Anyone wanna buy a house? It's lakefront!!!!
Sep 15, 2011 at 1:46 p.m.
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"Stottler/Severson/Sodemann reality show"
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Voters who don't like what they see know what they can do about it.
Sep 15, 2011 at 1:39 p.m.
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"The maximum tax levy of $3.4 million would mean an $89 tax increase on the average home valued at $112,500, Pennington said."
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Okay, but that's on top of all the other tax increases the board has made over the years, to say nothing of the recent property reevalution. Pennington needs to release a list of all the tax increases the school board has made in the past ten years. That would give taxpayers a better idea of whether they think the potential increase is acceptable or not.
Sep 15, 2011 at 12:34 p.m.
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Please make the cuts,,,, in staffing, please close schools that are no longer needed based upon enrollment..... They needs to make good fiscal decisions. The same decisions that comapanies have had to make. They are tough, but raising taxes on citizens will not work. It only delays the inevitable.
Sep 15, 2011 at 12:11 p.m.
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Whoops...leave the JEA not LIVE.
Sorry for the rants that don't fit together well but this topic is very frustrating.
Sep 15, 2011 at 12:09 p.m.
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MOC0428 writes sarcastically. These are all great idea's why didn't they think of them before.....wait.....they did think of those before and they didn't pan out. Quit kicking the dead horse.
I like the "3 S's" comment that fits well. Keep looking out for your next re-election and the tax payers who don't understand and value a good education. The board has not raised taxes as they should have in the past years and now we are paying a price. The problem is that most people in the community didn't realize that they could have but didn't raise taxes. Now it's time to pay the piper and no one likes it. I understand it is always easier to take incremental tax hikes than it is all at once. Here were are again with an issue that was created by our board but sooner or later someone is going to get on here and start kicking all the teachers..... As a parent of two children in the district and as a husband of a GREEEEEAAAAAAAAAT caring teacher I don't want to see any more cuts that could hurt the children.
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@ the school board. Raise taxes and accept the responsibility that you did not raise taxes as you could have and should have in the past. Live the JEA alone as they don't have anything to do with this. Man up and accept that you screwed up.
Sep 15, 2011 at 11:45 a.m.
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Hey, I have an idea, let's blame the teachers.
Sep 15, 2011 at 11:42 a.m.
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Just curious, when are the board members up for re-election?
Sep 15, 2011 at 7:10 a.m.
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Unbelievable! Hey Stottler don't you get it? The savings from closing a school will not help! The committee has spent an enormous amount of time on this issue and they came to the conclusion that 3 schools had potential for closing. But Greg stated he couldn't recommend one. Case closed. But now Lori wants all schools back on the drawing board? Why? It sure seems like some people on the school board are looking to get a specific school closed! Any response Lori? We all know you read these comments, due to the fact of your emotional breakdown in past meetings. Lori and Severson you both should be ashamed of yourselves. Can't take the heat? Step down and let someone who actually has some good ideas fill your shoes. Still can't tell yourselves to dip into the Fund 10 balance and raise taxes huh? So close a school and uproot all those children and families cause you can't use Fund 10 and raise taxes....that is brilliant! Just keep giving the residents of Janesville the Stottler/Severson/Sodemann reality show and drive the school district into the river! Good plan. I guess the numbers that the committee came up with didn't appease the 3 s's. So let's reopen all of that work that was done so we can start over until one of the schools that we want closed will be closed. Good idea Lori! Create more fear in the district until you get what you want! Maybe you could ask Sodemann to ask the union to open their contract again?
Sep 14, 2011 at 6:47 p.m.
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Recall DuWayne Severson !! No more cuts !!
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