Bonduel moving forward with referendum

The Bonduel School District will ask voters on April 4 to approve a three-year referendum in the hopes of not having to make drastic cuts to staff and programs.

The school board voted Monday to ask residents to increase the tax rate by $1.80 per $1,000 of equalized valuation, up from the current $9.55, in a measure that would give the district up to $1 million annually for the next three years. If approved, property owners would pay an additional $180 annually for a property valued at $100,000.

The tax rate probably will be higher than the $11.35 estimated, however, because of factors such as enrollment and state aid formulas.

“Our budget forecasts currently indicate next year’s rate would be $9.77 (not including the additional $1.80 if the referendum passes),” Superintendent Patrick Rau said. “It’s the best guess we have for three years out.”

Rau said the board decided to ask for up to $1 million based on budget forecasts, feeling that would be the amount needed by the district to maintain its existing programs.

“They felt that was very important,” Rau said. “The feedback they got from the community and how (residents) feel is that we’re doing a great job in providing services for our students to prepare them for life after graduation, and they want us to do everything to maintain it.”

The district is estimating a $400,000 budget deficit for the 2017-18 school year, according to Rau. The projected deficit swells to $685,000 in 2018-19 and $1.3 million for 2019-20.

“If we would fail, everything would be on the table,” Rau said. “We would be looking at possible reductions in staff and to programming, trying to consolidate services where we can. However, $400,000 is a big chunk of money, and it’s going to result in services that our students and parents expect having to be cut.”

The district is planning to hold public forums between now and the election to educate the community on why the additional money is needed, but no firm dates are set. Rau said the board plans to schedule the forums when it meets in February.

Rau said district officials would also be meeting with town and village boards and civic organizations within the district to ensure voters are well informed.