Community meeting details upcoming Win-E-Mac referendum

A community meeting was held Monday evening, October 19 at the Win-E-Mac School to provide the public with information pertaining to the upcoming vote for the District’s referendum renewal.  

Superintendent Randy Bruer provided some very important details pertaining to the issue.

At a July school board meeting, members approved a resolution to move forward in asking voters to RENEW an existing levy referendum.

Win-E-Mac Schools passed a referendum in 2006 for $800 per student to keep the system intact without serious educational cuts.  This referendum will be expiring in 2016 and is being brought to the public with a vote set for Tuesday, November 3, between the hours of 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Win-E-Mac School for renewal.

The district cannot operate without this levy or will be forced to reduce student educational programs.  The ballot is asking you to renew $678.80 of the referendum.  The Revenue Equalization amount from the state is $137,738 and the levy amount is $157,186 for a total of $294,924.

There will be a second questions on the ballot to add $81.20 to the referendum for a total of $760,000.  The second question is to maximize the amount of State Equalization Revenue available to the district in the form of state aid.

Presently,  an indirect tax you pay to the state goes to other districts for their referenda.  Win-E-Mac does not receive the maximum amount of equalization money from the state because the levy amount is less than $760.00.

The referendum dollars help the local school stay current with expenses, but like every citizen at home, they still have escalating travel costs, energy costs, food costs and technology costs which need to be considered.

There have been some general cuts and budget adjustments made without affecting classroom instruction.  There have been small increases to state funding for a number of years, but they are not matching inflationary costs.

The district is trying to provide a well-rounded educational opportunity for all students remaining vigilant to their, Vision Statement: “Win-E-Mac Schools; a place where ‘Kids Come First’ and Mission Statement: “To enhance and enrich the education of students by increasing parental involvement, maximizing community resources, providing for a safe school environment, and fostering mutual respect for all students.”

Referendum taxes are only charged to Market Value properties, not ag properties, which includes your house, 1 acre and a garage.  

District patrons have been provided with a mailing which includes a graph as to what the Referendum renewal will cost each resident.

The Win-E-Mac School is one of the largest businesses in the District currently employing 69 staff members and providing a well-rounded education to 436 K - 12 students.

If you would like more information, call the Superintendent at 218-563-2900 or 218-687-2236 and they will be happy to provide an answer.