Referendum Update

These are some comments/rumors we’ve heard regarding the referendum. Yes, it is a small sampling, but I wanted to share what is really happening. Here are some facts as of today:


• We still need the referendum question to pass but are not in crisis mode.

• We project the 2010 budget to end where we did in 2009, which is great!

• The 2011 budget is balanced. (That only means our reductions were accurate, not that we don’t need some people and resources to perform better.)

• The current plans are not to raise tax money from the referendum this year if passed (pending state reductions to our funding).

• We are not close to closing or consolidating.

• We may need to make facility renovations sometime, but closing South Whitley Elementary is just way down the line if ever

• There is a public meeting October 5th at 6:30 pm at Whitko High School in the Auditorium (child care provided) to try to share the following:

     o What the referendum question means

           No taxes if the budget is balanced without them

           No current property tax supports salaries or benefits

    o Where we have been financially and programmatically

    o Where we are now

    o Where we’d like to be

    o Where we could potentially be

• There is an options committee looking at how to provide services more effectively or efficiently, increase revenue through other means, and/or provide additional resources to assist the schools.

• The amount of funding we received from the federal government Jobs Bill is 27% of the $1.25 million we reduced…or looking at it another way, 2/3 of one year’s reduction. So, if the State reduces us a similar amount to last year, we would need to make up another $150,000 or so.

• We need people to vote yes

• From an email yesterday: Dr. Bennett still advises districts to plan for the worst case scenario as the fiscal indicators are not positive as of today.

• From 9/9/10 Indianapolis Business Journal: Report: State must cut spending, hike taxes or both

Not trying to be Chicken Little but it may sound like the sky is falling


“Gentlemen, we have run out of money. It is time to start thinking. ”Sir Ernest Rutherford, Nobel Laureate (Physics)

• We need the Referendum to pass November 2nd

• As of September 27th Dr Bennett was still saying expect a similar cut (half a million)

• As of September 27th Dr. Larry DeBoer Economics professor indicates 1.2 Billion shortfall for 2012 and 2013 for Indiana

• As of September 30 our Options Committee agreed we can’t cut people’s jobs to get out of the problem we are as thin as we can get.

• As of October 1st our former State Senator indicates a 1.1 Billion shortfall for Indiana

• We are protecting our students from the impending further reductions in state support.

o More reductions mean cuts in staff or programs

• The figures haven’t changed we are still balanced on paper for 2011 and 2012. The problem is the unknown state support.

What can you do?

     • Talk it up!

     • Hold a coffee time for a board member, Tom or Steve to talk to a few folks.

     • Place a sign!

     • Help the Referendum Committee (Contact Georgia Tenney at WMS or Jorell Tucker Board member)

o Call

o Canvas

• Vote!

SO is it as bad as all that? Yes. We can make more adjustments but nothing that doesn’t hurt students and staff. We will stay open and will endure these hard times but I must be honest things will not go back to normal (whatever that is) soon.