MINOCQUA – The first of six public informational meetings on Lakeland Union High School District’s $3.45 million referendum has been set for Thursday, Jan. 30 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the LUHS auditorium.
The school board last Oct. 28 approved a resolution authorizing the levy increase, subject to getting approval by district voters at the Tuesday, Feb. 18 spring election to exceed state levy limits.
As outlined in a flyer given out by Administrator Rob Way at this week's school board meeting, the recurring (also known as operational) referendum would begin with the 2020-21 school year. If approved, the money would go for “operating costs, facility maintenance, improvements in curriculum, instruction, and programming to enhance educational opportunities and the district’s ability to attract and retain staff.”
Because it is being presented as a recurring referendum, the levy would remain on the tax rolls; in other words, it would not sunset or end after a stipulated time. At the high school’s current tax rate of $1.82/$1,000, the tax on property valued at $100,000 is $182. If voters approve the $3.45 million referendum, the tax rate would increase to $2.33 for 2021, resulting in a tax bill of $233, or about $52 more, on that same property. On property valued at $200,000, the increase in taxes would be $104 annually.
School districts rely on revenue on local property taxes, in addition to state and federal funds to operate their schools, including for staff salaries, transportation, debt service, heating and cooling, and a myriad of other expenses. In times of rising property values, municipalities and schools can realize increased revenues that way.
However, property values in the Northwoods have been stagnant, or with only slight increase in past years. According to LUHS officials, the money the district receives through property taxes has been “essentially flat over the last 10 years.” In addition, state aid, which is tied to student enrollment, has dropped due to fewer students. (Enrollment has stabilized the past few years.) However, the cost of running the school continues to increase. The board says additional revenue is needed to “offset new programming costs, including Lakeland Star Academy School, other special education needs, the tech education program, to name a few.”
Other looming costs include needed parking lot resurfacing, stadium renovation, pool upkeep, replacement of the synthetic floor in the fieldhouse, auditorium stage, tennis court maintenance, security cameras and other safety upgrades. The information sheet says the district has reduced expenses in a number of ways to balance the budget. Those include reducing administrative and staff positions over the last 10 years to match declining student enrollments; requiring employees to pay half of their retirement contributions beginning in 2011, and increasing deductibles and premiums for employee insurance coverage. If the referendum fails (a simple majority decides either way), there is potential for further reductions in staffing, programs and services for students, says Way.
Other information meetings
Other information meetings about the referendum are scheduled:
• Monday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m., Lac du Flambeau Elementary School, auditorium • Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m., Minocqua Public Library, program room.
• Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m., North Lakeland Elementary School, community room. • Wednesday, Feb. 5, Arbor Vitae-Woodruff Elementary School, EL Center
• Thursday, Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m., Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lake Tomahawk School, library.
Way told the board that the district would send out information sheets about the referendum to residents and businesses in the district this week. In addition, a video in which Way talks about the necessity of passing the referendum is available for showing to groups.
On-line information about the referendum is at the luhs.k12.us website. Look for the “Referendum Vote” tab. Way also invites people with questions to call him at the district office: 715-356-5252 ext. 3482 or e-mail at way@lakelandunion.org.
