District officials say measure is needed to avoid larger class sizes, layoffs

By Charles Menchaca
Wausau Daily Herald

Edgar school officials next year plan to ask residents to vote on a $7 million building measure that could increase taxes on a $100,000 home by as much as $180 a year

School leaders say they need the money to ease overcrowding by moving the cafeteria and a gym and making two additions to the building, one for seven classrooms and another for a gym and a fitness center.

The Edgar School Board in December intends to vote on a resolution that would put the proposal on the Feb. 16 ballot. Until then, board members will explore financing options, including stimulus funding, to see if they can lower the project's price tag.

If the board approves the resolution, it will be the district's 12th referendum election in 16 years, and the sixth referendum of more than $1 million.

Some district residents, such as Tim Werner, 45, already know about the building plan -- and have concerns. He questions the timing of the project, especially when so many residents are out of work or have lost incomes.

Edgar Superintendent Mark Lacke said the district is fully aware that residents have had to adjust to job changes. But the same economy that has hurt homeowners helps the district because construction costs and interest rates are lower now than during a stable economy. That means renovations and additions will cost the district less if it builds now.

Why it's needed

Without the additional funds, class sizes will increase, three teachers will be laid off and students will remain in cramped quarters, Lacke said.

Currently, the district receives $150,000 yearly for its participation in a program that keeps elementary class sizes at a 15-to-1 ratio. Without the additional elementary classrooms, the school might have to drop out of the class size program and lose the $150,000 in annual funding. Since that funding is used to pay three elementary teachers in those classrooms, the teachers could lose their jobs and classes could increase in size to 27 students as district enrollment continues to grow slowly. Since the 2004-05 school year, 33 students have joined Edgar schools.

The school's fine arts programs also suffers from a lack of performance and rehearsal space. Over 100 band members now rehearse in a room meant for 50 students.

The impact

Dairy farmer Russ Baumanis one of about 4,000 residents who live in the Edgar School District. He said he is not certain how to resolve the school's issues, but he cannot support paying more taxes to give the district's 663 students more space.

"Our expenses are higher than our income at this point, and I'm not in favor of it right now," he said of the possible spending measure.

Bauman, 58, runs a 160-acre, 50-cow milking operation that has been devastated by the economy. Milk is selling today for about half the price he was getting early last year.

Town of Wein resident Doug Pilgrim wants to know more before he decides whether he'll support the referendum.

Pilgrim, 36, said hecould not speak in favor of or against the possible $7 million ballot measure yet because he weighs such things right up until election day. He said he thinks residents should take an interest in the building project and give their input, however.

Pilgrim was invited to join a group of residents to meet with the project architect to give feedback on the building plans, a role he initially resisted.

"When I went in there, I was dead set against this stuff," he said. "I'm sure a lot of people in the community don't understand it."

Other options

School leaders continue to search for ways to help offset the expenses of the building project.

The $7 million spending initiative could add as much as $180 to the tax bill on a $100,000 home every year for the next 15 years, but if the district is able to secure federal stimulus money, it could knock that figure down to $102.

Lacke plans to apply to the Qualified School Construction Bond Program, which would provide stimulus money as a zero-interest, partial source of funding for the project.

If the district applies for the program, it likely will not know whether it qualifies until after the spring elections. Wisconsin was allocated $170 million for the bond program in 2009; the 2010 allocation is pending.

Lacke said the district will move forward with the plan that would call for residents to pay $180 more per year in taxes because it is the most conservative estimate it has at this time.