Curmudgeon's Corner

New Elementary School Or No New Elementary School?

Posted by Al Campbell on March 5, 2008

Education, Germantown, Quality of Life, School Board, Taxes

The question posed above is that which we will see on the April 1st ballots in the Germantown School District.  The District obviously encompasses more than just the Village of Germantown.

We have come to expect an almost constant preprogrammed reaction against proposed school building referenda issues and probably for good reason in many instances.  There has been over-reaching to be found in more than one referendum across the state, and each of those instances affects every other referendum issue to follow.  Taxpayers are being made to pay more and more virtually every year and there is the feeling that 'enough is enough' prevailing in our society.

Bruce Warnimont has taken a great deal of time to help you and me better understand the current referendum issue, and I want to thank him for the many hours I know he has given us.  There has been criticism about the Board hiring the Baird organization to assist in getting information out to the voters.  I do not think the relatively small amount paid for this service is a bad idea; instead, I think it is evidence of the Board's desire that we all be as informed as we can be when we step into the voting booth on April 1st.

My votes have typically been against such expenditures and probably for many of the reasons that the majority has held.  I am a fiscal conservative.  I do not like to see my tax bill increase.  I find more than sufficient waste in government already.  I have grandsons who are now making their way through our public education system, and I believe they are receiving a very solid education from very dedicated teachers and administrators.  My biases are thus exposed.

New Elementary School Or No New Elementary School?  That is the question.

I believe that there does come a time when all other workable options have been tried, exhausted or disproved.  I see the population increases that are projected by a very reliable firm.  I understand far better now the limitations imposed on the district in terms of remodeling or expanding existing structures.  I believe I have a better understanding of how state dollars flow and how some of the intricacies of district accounting can be deceiving.  I believe the tax 'hit' is reasonable...all things considered.

My answer is going to be Yes.  I believe that a new elementary school is necessary and I believe this is the time for that to happen.  I will be interested to see if I end up in the majority or the minority this time.