APRIL 2ND REFERENDUM INFORMATION
On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, residents of the Valders Area School District will vote on a $1.3 million, 3-year operational referendum question. If the referendum is approved, VASD would use the funds to address operational needs across the entire district.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF OPERATIONAL REFERENDUMS IN THE VALDERS SCHOOL DISTRICT?
Valders Area School District has only requested two operational referendums in the last 20 years.
- 2018 - This operational referendum was used to support the high school's transition to 1:1 technology. VASD taxpayers finished paying this referendum during the 2022-2023 school year.
- 2023 - This operational referendum failed during the spring 2023 election. We have looked at the necessary operational expenses and revamped this referendum to include the specific needs
WHY DOES VASD NEED AN OPERATIONAL REFERENDUM?
Out of approximately 432 school districts in Wisconsin, only about 30 have not asked for operational monies. Districts are needing to ask for additional funds from taxpayers through referendums because of:
- Reduction in funding from State Aid
- Expiration of federal emergency relief funds (ESSER)
- Change in funding throughout the years- no per-pupil increase in recent years
WHAT WOULD THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM SUPPORT?
These potential needs were compiled by the operational referendum working group.
- School Resource Officer (SRO) - VASD is the only public school district in Manitowoc County that doesn't have an SRO. SROs are specifically trained to support mental health needs of students, as well as other situations that may specifically arise in the school setting. This position would also need approval from the Manitowoc County Board. However, we are hopeful that if the district has the money to support the position, the board will work with the district to create the position.
- Math Interventionist - VASD cut this position when the referendum did not pass in the spring of 2023. This staff member would work with students who were below grade-level to provide additional support for the students' math understanding. This extra support allows the classroom teacher to support the other students' needs and advancements. These documented interventions are necessary to provide the best support to students, especially in the case of a student qualifying for Special Education.
- English Language (EL) Educator - VASD currently has about 55 students that should receive EL services. This position was cut when the referendum did not pass last spring. Without this position, teachers and staff do not have the resources to bridge the gap.
- Maintaining small class sizes, offerings, and staff levels - We are so grateful that the voters approved the building referendum last spring. However, it is our concern that we will build these fantastic opportunities in our buildings and then not be able to afford to run the classes. Without additional funding, class sizes may need to be much larger than they are now, allowing for less classes to be offered to our students.
- District -wide technology upgrades - since the previous referendum for technology has ended, the district needs to make additional upgrades to technology throughout the district. Staff are using projectors and SMARTBoards in the classroom that are more than 10-15 years old. Chromebooks used by teachers and elementary and middle school students are more that five years old and need to be replaced.
- Explore opportunities to support student behavior needs - The referendum working group agrees that there needs to be behavioral support for students. However, the working group would like to conduct some additional research on the best method to approach this need.
|