Budget forecast points to referendum
By Ken Leiviska
Times-Press
REEDSBURG — The Reedsburg School Board had a lot to cover during their meeting Monday. They discussed the option to sell land at Rock Springs Elementary School, the work of A'viands Food Service Management Company, the cancellation of Friday classes this week, the budget and even a referendum to exceed revenue caps.
Referendum
School District Business Manager Pat Ruddy gave the budget update and forecast for the 2008-09 school year and provided some estimated numbers through the year 2013. Based on current trends, Ruddy estimates the school district will lose nearly $4.6 million in the next four years.
"I've always said you can do anything you want, just not everything you want," Ruddy said. "I don't care how you slice it...but if we have to cut $4.6 million, we can't do much of anything."
Growing budget concerns led to Ruddy's recommendation of having a referendum. "I think it's time for the voters to decide," he said.
"I think we should go ahead with this," Jim Wieczorek, a member of the school board, said.
Wieczorek was not alone, as everyone on the board spoke in favor of a referendum to exceed revenue caps to put money back into the school district. They also determined more cuts might be needed to help balance the budget in future years.
"I'm hearing you say we need to have a referendum and make a list of items that need to be cut," District Administrator Tom Benson said.
Although discussion for the referendum was on the agenda, it was not an action item and a final decision will not be made until the next regular school board meeting.
Land sale
One item that was on the action list was the status of land on the Rock Springs School property. Because the surrounding village had a hundred or more homes condemned due to summer flooding, they are looking for land to develop with new homes.
The school board voted to allow Ruddy and Benson to further pursue the option of selling the land, located primarily on the east end of the school property, to the north of Elm Street, and possibly another area south of Elm Street. The land has not been sold yet.
They also discussed the Romoren Forest, also on Rock Springs School property, to be sold to a nature conservancy or other buyer. This was a discussion item and will appear again as an action item at a future meeting.
Food service
The new food service provider for the Reedsburg School District has done well so far when it comes to the bottom line, even though student participation has dropped.
"Despite the participation, we are seeing positive returns so far," Karen Jardeneh, associate district manager of A'viands, said. Jardeneh reported profits of $972 in September and $8,568 in October. Last year the school district lost $146,000 in operating costs.
School cancelled
A'viands won't worry about preparing food this Friday. In light of the success of the Reedsburg Area High School football team and the One Acts reaching their respective state title matches Friday, the board voted in favor of cancelling school. The day will have to be made up at a later time.