|
Significant Projects and Aging Infrastructure
If question #1 on the ballot fails at the voting polls, the deferred maintenance will get pushed down the road another year or two. Needed parking lot replacements and traffic flow, functioning PA system, functioning phone system, failing plumbing system, energy efficient windows, and ADA elevator lift replacement needs, to name only a few, will need to be addressed later.
It is likely the Board of Education will come back to the public with the same list of needs. One or two years later the cost for this large project will likely be impacted by inflation, resulting in a heftier price tag. It is estimated that waiting one year will increase the price tag by a minimum of $800,000.
Operations
Question #2 on the ballot affects operating expenses.
The operations referendum on the April 4 ballot will allow Yorkville School to do the following:
- Maintain our current level of staffing.
- Maintain favorable class sizes (student to teacher ratios).
- Compensate our staff at a reasonable but competitive rate, allowing us to retain and attract highly qualified teachers (this market has proven to be difficult).
- Support student and staff Chromebook replacements on a 4-5 year cycle.
- Continue with curriculum updates on a 7-year cycle, per content area (e.g. math, reading, science).
- Address ongoing facility needs that would not be addressed by the capitol referendum such as painting rotation, carpet rotation, replacement of student desks/tables, and other such items normally supported in an annual operating budget.
- Support for staff professional development and ongoing training.
For a better understanding of why referendums occur in Wisconsin so frequently in comparison to decades ago, please reference this past newsletter article "Why Recurring Referendums?"
If you would like to learn more about the needs, please attend our last of three Referendum Information Nights on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. You may
also attend a Coffee with the Superintendent at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21 and/or March 28. If you are unable to attend any of these events but would still like to learn more, please contact the school for a personal meeting and tour with Dr. Mark Rollefson, Superintendent.
Additionally, please reference our website for more information about our needs.
| 
