WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |La Crosse School Referendum
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La Crosse, WI (WXOW) Seven months after La Crosse school district voters turned down a $35 million building referendum by just 273 votes, they are being asked to consider a scaled-back version. The money is needed to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. It would also provide new safety and security features.
School superintendent Jerry Kember says if the community wants smaller neighborhood schools and older buildings, we have to invest in them, and bring them up to grade.
"Last year we spent over $200,000 dollars in repair bills to the systems. That's repair bills, not maintenance. Is that a good use of taxpayer dollars? You come to a point when you say this is not a good investment."
To minimize interest costs and lessen tax impact, the district would borrow funds in three phases during 2009, 2010, and 2011. The 18.5 million dollars from voters equals out to a $23.00 a dollar property tax increase for owners of homes valued at $100,000 dollars. Nothing would show up on your tax bill until the end of 2009.
By state law, the board of education cannot take a long-term loan for major improvements without voter approval.
