The WGSD board will vote on the 2008-2009 tax levy at the October 20th school board meeting at 6 PM. If you would like to provide feedback to the board prior to the meeting the email addresses can be found on the school website: http://www.waterford.k12.wi.us//district/SchoolBoard.cfm
Since the tax levy is on the agenda, you can also speak at the meeting.
Some history on the last couple of year's tax levies:
The 2005-2006 tax levy was $6.1 million.
In 2006-2007 Racine County turned the special education program back to Western Racine county schools. The tax levy increased by almost $3 million. In 06/07 the county was still receiving payments from the state which they passed on to the school districts. These pass through payments were as much as the cost of the program in this year. This fact allowed the school district to put almost $2 million in the Fund 10 savings account.
In 2007-2008 the board voted to freeze the Fund 10 tax levy. With the freeze the school district was still able to spend $500,000 to upgrade the computers, put $250,000 in the Fund 10 savings account, and add additional school programming.
For this year the school administration proposed a more than 5% tax levy increase. I requested they lower the increase to 4%. At the annual meeting the public voted down the 4% increase in favor of freezing the tax levy increase at the prior years level once again. This vote was nonbinding and the board will set the official levy increase on Monday.
If you have any thoughts to share with the school board please let us know prior to the vote on October 20th.
Thanks.
Chuck Poole
WGSD School Board Treasurer
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Shocking Video Unearthed Democrats in their own words Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam that caused our Economic Crisis
Something the corrupt liberal media will never show you!!!!!!!!!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Public School Ego Trip
A great video presentation on the school building binge epidemic in Wisconsin.
Public School Ego Trip - Part Two
This is part two of two. A great video presentation on the school building binge epidemic in Wisconsin.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Growth Committee Update
Susan Skalla attended the September 17, 2008 Waterford Graded School District Growth Committee Meeting.
Here is her report....
The meeting was facilitated by Chris, a school employee, and attended by citizens, teachers and principals. The purpose of the meeting was to get input of issues from the members, prioritize the issues and submit them to the School Board. Mr. Moyer and others expressed their concerns relative to the lack of identifying a mission statement and directives from the Board.. Chris, the facilitator, acknowledged the concerns and proceeded with the format of obtaining member input. Mr. Moyer eventually left the meeting expressing his concern of being uprepared for this meeting and that it was the same being unprepared for the community meeting last summer.
Example of issues to be presented to the School Board in early October include:
Are we using facilities to full capacity?
Could we have K-8 in each elementary school?
What are current and projected enrollment numbers?
What has changed since the last meeting?
Why is there a Growth Committee?
What will a student learn with 35 square feet that they can’t learn with 30 square feet?
Would the School Board consider implementing a committee to verify data received from administration before taking action on a proposal?
Evaluating elementary boundaries, as Trailside as excess space? (This was asked by a school principal)
Before the summer community meeting, the Growth Committee had a moving plan that was shut down, why?
The Growth Committee should be an independent entity and not tainted by board members and school staff.
After a discussion of the meeting format and the facilitator’s effort to take a vote on whether the group would vote to prioritize the issues that night or schedule a meeting next week to take the vote. The response from several people was for Chris to go back to the School Board and request they give the group directives so we may form as a true committee. As others and myself expressed, the meeting was a community input meeting and did not have any elements of a committee meeting.
Chris agreed to request the Board to address the following:
What is the Growth Committee?
What is the purpose of the Growth Committee?
Confirm if the members should be independent of any school employees and board members?
Susan Skalla
Here is her report....
The meeting was facilitated by Chris, a school employee, and attended by citizens, teachers and principals. The purpose of the meeting was to get input of issues from the members, prioritize the issues and submit them to the School Board. Mr. Moyer and others expressed their concerns relative to the lack of identifying a mission statement and directives from the Board.. Chris, the facilitator, acknowledged the concerns and proceeded with the format of obtaining member input. Mr. Moyer eventually left the meeting expressing his concern of being uprepared for this meeting and that it was the same being unprepared for the community meeting last summer.
Example of issues to be presented to the School Board in early October include:
Are we using facilities to full capacity?
Could we have K-8 in each elementary school?
What are current and projected enrollment numbers?
What has changed since the last meeting?
Why is there a Growth Committee?
What will a student learn with 35 square feet that they can’t learn with 30 square feet?
Would the School Board consider implementing a committee to verify data received from administration before taking action on a proposal?
Evaluating elementary boundaries, as Trailside as excess space? (This was asked by a school principal)
Before the summer community meeting, the Growth Committee had a moving plan that was shut down, why?
The Growth Committee should be an independent entity and not tainted by board members and school staff.
After a discussion of the meeting format and the facilitator’s effort to take a vote on whether the group would vote to prioritize the issues that night or schedule a meeting next week to take the vote. The response from several people was for Chris to go back to the School Board and request they give the group directives so we may form as a true committee. As others and myself expressed, the meeting was a community input meeting and did not have any elements of a committee meeting.
Chris agreed to request the Board to address the following:
What is the Growth Committee?
What is the purpose of the Growth Committee?
Confirm if the members should be independent of any school employees and board members?
Susan Skalla
Friday, September 19, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
WGSD Growth Committee Meeting
WGSD will have a Growth Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 17'th at 05:30 PM in the district office. Blaine Nicholls will chair the meeting. The first meeting will be general in nature to set goals for future meetings.
If you are interested in attending, please email Mr. Nicholls or Dr. Nelson so they can plan for the number of people attending. Email addresses can be found on the school website:
http://www.waterford.k12.wi.us/
Enrollment numbers as of 9/8/08 were 1614. There were 1624 children at end of last year. Kindergarten enrollment was 157 compared to 188 last year.
Submitted by Chuck Poole
If you are interested in attending, please email Mr. Nicholls or Dr. Nelson so they can plan for the number of people attending. Email addresses can be found on the school website:
http://www.waterford.k12.wi.us/
Enrollment numbers as of 9/8/08 were 1614. There were 1624 children at end of last year. Kindergarten enrollment was 157 compared to 188 last year.
Submitted by Chuck Poole
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wisconsin Taxes Remain Some Of The Highest
By Mary Lazich
Friday, Aug 15 2008, 09:18 AM
Here is Exhibit A why Wisconsin is a tax hell and why I consistently vote against state budget and budget repair bills that increase taxes and spending.
The non-partisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) reports, "Net property taxes in Wisconsin rose 5.7 percent in 2008, the largest increase since 2005, the year before the recent levy limits on municipalities and counties were imposed. The new study notes that 2006 property taxes here were ninth highest nationally and higher than those in all surrounding states."
School levies increased the most, at 7.4 percent. County and municipal levy increases were limited to the greater of 3.86% or the increase in property values due to new construction. Due to the slowing real estate market, new construction growth around the state was only 2.5 percent. Even so, municipal property taxes increased by 5.0 percent, and county levies were up 4.5 percent.
Using the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, WISTAX found that Wisconsin property taxes, at 4.4 percent of personal income, were ninth highest in the nation.
Here is Exhibit B. The Tax Foundation in Washington D.C. has completed its annual report estimating the combined state-local tax burden of residents in all 50 states. It concluded that state-local tax burdens have declined due to income growth surpassing tax growth.
That is not the case, however, in Wisconsin. Every year, the Tax Foundation determines the percentage of income residents in each state pay in state and local taxes. Wisconsin ranks number 9 in the country for state and local tax burdens. Wisconsin's rank was number 10 in 2007.
According to the Tax Foundation, Wisconsinites pay 10.2 percent of their income in state and local taxes. Wisconsin's burden isn't far from New Jersey that ranks number 1 with a state-local tax burden of 11.8 percent.
Surrounding states have lower state-local tax burdens than Wisconsin:
Minnesota: 10.2 percent (#12)
Michigan: 9.4 percent (#27)
Illinois: 9.3 percent (#30)
Iowa: 9.3 percent (#31)
One of the interesting parts of the report is a segment on states where the tax burden rankings have dropped the most:
"From 1977 to the present, South Dakota's tax burden ranking has dropped 25 places from 20th highest to 45th, primarily by maintaining a zero rate on individual and corporate income. The tax burden ranking in Arizona has dropped 24 places from 17th highest to 41st, and the residents there now pay the tenth lowest tax burden. Most of the change came in the wake of a property tax limitation in 1980, and their ranking has changed little since.
Montana has dropped 22 places, primarily by maintaining a zero rate on general sales.
Colorado has dropped 19 places in the ranking over the last 30 years. It levies every major tax, but the rate on each is among the lowest in the country. Spending discipline in the form of a so-called TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) has helped the state keep tax rates low.
Two politically liberal states have dropped sharply: Oregon and Massachusetts. Oregon has done so by never enacting a sales tax, dropping 16 ranks from 10th highest to 26th. Massachusetts has dropped 17 places by imposing a property tax limitation and keeping a lid on its personal income tax rate, living down its 'Taxachusetts' nickname."
While other states have found the right formulas, Wisconsin continues down the disastrous path of excessive taxing and spending.
Two months ago, I was skeptical of a Wisconsin State Journal article with a bold headline that proclaimed, "Wisconsin falls from ranks of top 10 highest-taxed states for first time since 1980." Researchers at WISTAX and the University of Wisconsin said this would be only the second time since 1969 Wisconsin has not been in the top ten in taxes nationwide.
How did this happen? As the newspaper reported, "Wisconsin's taxes actually rose slightly in the fiscal year ended in June 2006 but those of other states rose more quickly." Translation: You're still paying high taxes, Wisconsin, and they're not going down.
Judging from the latest reports on our tax climate, it is time to put the corks back in the champagne.
Friday, Aug 15 2008, 09:18 AM
Here is Exhibit A why Wisconsin is a tax hell and why I consistently vote against state budget and budget repair bills that increase taxes and spending.
The non-partisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) reports, "Net property taxes in Wisconsin rose 5.7 percent in 2008, the largest increase since 2005, the year before the recent levy limits on municipalities and counties were imposed. The new study notes that 2006 property taxes here were ninth highest nationally and higher than those in all surrounding states."
School levies increased the most, at 7.4 percent. County and municipal levy increases were limited to the greater of 3.86% or the increase in property values due to new construction. Due to the slowing real estate market, new construction growth around the state was only 2.5 percent. Even so, municipal property taxes increased by 5.0 percent, and county levies were up 4.5 percent.
Using the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, WISTAX found that Wisconsin property taxes, at 4.4 percent of personal income, were ninth highest in the nation.
Here is Exhibit B. The Tax Foundation in Washington D.C. has completed its annual report estimating the combined state-local tax burden of residents in all 50 states. It concluded that state-local tax burdens have declined due to income growth surpassing tax growth.
That is not the case, however, in Wisconsin. Every year, the Tax Foundation determines the percentage of income residents in each state pay in state and local taxes. Wisconsin ranks number 9 in the country for state and local tax burdens. Wisconsin's rank was number 10 in 2007.
According to the Tax Foundation, Wisconsinites pay 10.2 percent of their income in state and local taxes. Wisconsin's burden isn't far from New Jersey that ranks number 1 with a state-local tax burden of 11.8 percent.
Surrounding states have lower state-local tax burdens than Wisconsin:
Minnesota: 10.2 percent (#12)
Michigan: 9.4 percent (#27)
Illinois: 9.3 percent (#30)
Iowa: 9.3 percent (#31)
One of the interesting parts of the report is a segment on states where the tax burden rankings have dropped the most:
"From 1977 to the present, South Dakota's tax burden ranking has dropped 25 places from 20th highest to 45th, primarily by maintaining a zero rate on individual and corporate income. The tax burden ranking in Arizona has dropped 24 places from 17th highest to 41st, and the residents there now pay the tenth lowest tax burden. Most of the change came in the wake of a property tax limitation in 1980, and their ranking has changed little since.
Montana has dropped 22 places, primarily by maintaining a zero rate on general sales.
Colorado has dropped 19 places in the ranking over the last 30 years. It levies every major tax, but the rate on each is among the lowest in the country. Spending discipline in the form of a so-called TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) has helped the state keep tax rates low.
Two politically liberal states have dropped sharply: Oregon and Massachusetts. Oregon has done so by never enacting a sales tax, dropping 16 ranks from 10th highest to 26th. Massachusetts has dropped 17 places by imposing a property tax limitation and keeping a lid on its personal income tax rate, living down its 'Taxachusetts' nickname."
While other states have found the right formulas, Wisconsin continues down the disastrous path of excessive taxing and spending.
Two months ago, I was skeptical of a Wisconsin State Journal article with a bold headline that proclaimed, "Wisconsin falls from ranks of top 10 highest-taxed states for first time since 1980." Researchers at WISTAX and the University of Wisconsin said this would be only the second time since 1969 Wisconsin has not been in the top ten in taxes nationwide.
How did this happen? As the newspaper reported, "Wisconsin's taxes actually rose slightly in the fiscal year ended in June 2006 but those of other states rose more quickly." Translation: You're still paying high taxes, Wisconsin, and they're not going down.
Judging from the latest reports on our tax climate, it is time to put the corks back in the champagne.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
WEAC's Top Priority......
WEAC's top priority: Elimination of the QEO
By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Aug 14 2008, 06:06 PM
WEAC (The Wisconsin Education Association Council), the state teacher's union has released its 2009-10 Legislative Agenda. Topping WEAC's list of priorities is repealing the QEO (Qualified Economic Offer).
This is another reason the November election is critical. If Democrats maintain control of the state Senate and take back control of the state Assembly, a legislature controlled by Democrats along with Governor Doyle will kill the QEO. The result will be a property tax explosion.
Some background is in order. The QEO was instituted by the Legislature after angry taxpayers statewide demanded action be taken to stop the tidal wave of huge property tax increases. Since its inception, the QEO has helped keep property taxes from being even higher than they already are.
Under the QEO, the compensation package for teachers including salaries and benefits is to be limited to a 3.8 percent increase. Prior to the implementation of the QEO, settlement packages with teachers were much larger, forcing a tremendous burden on taxpayers.
According to data from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) that used figures from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the average total teacher salary and benefit package increase in the years before the QEO was 8 percent during 1984-85, 8.4 percent during 1985-86, 7.7 percent during 1986-87, 7.4 percent during 1987-88, 7.1 percent during 1988-89, 7.3 percent during 1989-90, 7.4 percent during 1990-91 and 6.9 percent during both 1991-92 and 1992-93.
Enough was enough. Taxpayers protested. The Legislature heard and listened, and the QEO was adopted.
In reality, most school districts do not stay within the QEO, agreeing to settlements that surpass the 3.8 percent limit. The WASB reports that the average total package of salaries and benefits was 4.29 percent during 2006-07, 4.25 percent during 2005-06, and 4.31 percent during 2004-05. The percentages are higher than the rate of inflation, and more than likely are greater than increases provided in the private sector.
The QEO must remain intact. Without the QEO, spending and taxes will rise substantially, more people will leave their homes, more people will leave the state, and more jobs will be lost. We cannot afford to lose the QEO.
By Mary Lazich
Thursday, Aug 14 2008, 06:06 PM
WEAC (The Wisconsin Education Association Council), the state teacher's union has released its 2009-10 Legislative Agenda. Topping WEAC's list of priorities is repealing the QEO (Qualified Economic Offer).
This is another reason the November election is critical. If Democrats maintain control of the state Senate and take back control of the state Assembly, a legislature controlled by Democrats along with Governor Doyle will kill the QEO. The result will be a property tax explosion.
Some background is in order. The QEO was instituted by the Legislature after angry taxpayers statewide demanded action be taken to stop the tidal wave of huge property tax increases. Since its inception, the QEO has helped keep property taxes from being even higher than they already are.
Under the QEO, the compensation package for teachers including salaries and benefits is to be limited to a 3.8 percent increase. Prior to the implementation of the QEO, settlement packages with teachers were much larger, forcing a tremendous burden on taxpayers.
According to data from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) that used figures from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the average total teacher salary and benefit package increase in the years before the QEO was 8 percent during 1984-85, 8.4 percent during 1985-86, 7.7 percent during 1986-87, 7.4 percent during 1987-88, 7.1 percent during 1988-89, 7.3 percent during 1989-90, 7.4 percent during 1990-91 and 6.9 percent during both 1991-92 and 1992-93.
Enough was enough. Taxpayers protested. The Legislature heard and listened, and the QEO was adopted.
In reality, most school districts do not stay within the QEO, agreeing to settlements that surpass the 3.8 percent limit. The WASB reports that the average total package of salaries and benefits was 4.29 percent during 2006-07, 4.25 percent during 2005-06, and 4.31 percent during 2004-05. The percentages are higher than the rate of inflation, and more than likely are greater than increases provided in the private sector.
The QEO must remain intact. Without the QEO, spending and taxes will rise substantially, more people will leave their homes, more people will leave the state, and more jobs will be lost. We cannot afford to lose the QEO.
Eliminate Property Tax?
Watch the video below to see an interesting short video on an idea to elimination property tax!
Rep. Phil King of Texes presents a pretty compelling argument.
Something to think about.
Rep. Phil King of Texes presents a pretty compelling argument.
Something to think about.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Spending and Raises Up Significantly at the Waterford Union High School
Wow, the spending at the Waterford Union High School seems to be excessive! What is it with these tax intoxicated school board members and administrators?
Their Annual Budget Meeting was held this evening.
Here are some troubling things that were disclosed during the course of the meeting.
The High School has $4,637,975 in reserves. They continue to refuse to use some of that to offset the tax levy and lower our property taxes. 1.1 Million of that came from Racine County when the Special Education program was turned over to the local school districts. The High School Board hasn’t passed that money on to us in the form of tax relief, they simply pocketed it in their general fund and pretended like they never received it. They increased their budget when they took over the Special Education program but didn’t put the money they received from Racine County for the Special Education program toward the program. They simply raised your taxes and hid the money they received from the County.
Even though the State Law allows districts to hold teachers/administrators increases at 3.8%, the High School Board decided to give the teachers a 4.5% raise, the support staff a 5.5% raise, and the administration a 3.5% raise PLUS a $1000 bonus.
They were asked if the teachers paid any percentage of their health insurance premiums. They proudly answered that yes, they pay 3% - even though most of us pay 15% or more toward our health insurance. What is even more astonishing is that we learned that while the teachers "contribute" 3% toward their health insurance, the school district then turns around and gives them 3% toward an annuity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What kind of a SCAM is that?
In total salaries went up 9.9% and Operating Transfer expenses went up over 34%.
A taxpayer mentioned that even though he was against the large increase this year (AGAIN), the High School should tax at last years level and get the balance from the reserve fund to keep taxes at last years level. They refused!!!!!
We have a lot of work ahead of us!
Their Annual Budget Meeting was held this evening.
Here are some troubling things that were disclosed during the course of the meeting.
The High School has $4,637,975 in reserves. They continue to refuse to use some of that to offset the tax levy and lower our property taxes. 1.1 Million of that came from Racine County when the Special Education program was turned over to the local school districts. The High School Board hasn’t passed that money on to us in the form of tax relief, they simply pocketed it in their general fund and pretended like they never received it. They increased their budget when they took over the Special Education program but didn’t put the money they received from Racine County for the Special Education program toward the program. They simply raised your taxes and hid the money they received from the County.
Even though the State Law allows districts to hold teachers/administrators increases at 3.8%, the High School Board decided to give the teachers a 4.5% raise, the support staff a 5.5% raise, and the administration a 3.5% raise PLUS a $1000 bonus.
They were asked if the teachers paid any percentage of their health insurance premiums. They proudly answered that yes, they pay 3% - even though most of us pay 15% or more toward our health insurance. What is even more astonishing is that we learned that while the teachers "contribute" 3% toward their health insurance, the school district then turns around and gives them 3% toward an annuity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What kind of a SCAM is that?
In total salaries went up 9.9% and Operating Transfer expenses went up over 34%.
A taxpayer mentioned that even though he was against the large increase this year (AGAIN), the High School should tax at last years level and get the balance from the reserve fund to keep taxes at last years level. They refused!!!!!
We have a lot of work ahead of us!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Costs Up & Quality of Education Down
Paul Beyerl provided the following link.
It seems that while the cost of the Waterford Graded School District continues to rise dramatically, the quality of education in the District is going down.
http://data.dpi.state.wi.us/data/graphshell.asp?SubjectID=1RE&GraphFile=GEDISAPRIORYEARS&DETAIL=YES&Grade=99&Group=AllStudentsFAY&EligibleOnly=NO&Level=A-P&WOW=WSAS&ORGLEVEL=DI&FULLKEY=02611303ZZZZ&DN=Waterford+Graded+J1&SN=Show+Schools
Paul B.
It seems that while the cost of the Waterford Graded School District continues to rise dramatically, the quality of education in the District is going down.
http://data.dpi.state.wi.us/data/graphshell.asp?SubjectID=1RE&GraphFile=GEDISAPRIORYEARS&DETAIL=YES&Grade=99&Group=AllStudentsFAY&EligibleOnly=NO&Level=A-P&WOW=WSAS&ORGLEVEL=DI&FULLKEY=02611303ZZZZ&DN=Waterford+Graded+J1&SN=Show+Schools
Paul B.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Upcoming Important Budget Meetings
Tomorrow evening (August 20, 2008) the Village of Waterford will be holding their "Public Comment on Master Plan" meeting at the Village Hall 123 N River Street. The meeting starts at 5:00pm and the Joint Village Board/Planning Commission meeting follows.
On Monday, August 25, 2008 the Waterford Graded School District will be holding their Annual District Meeting where they present and hold a hearing on their proposed budget for the school year. This meeting starts at 7:00pm at the Evergreen Elementary School Cafeteria.
The Waterford Union High School will be holding their Annual District Meeting where they present and hold a hearing on their proposed budget for the school year. This meeting is going to be held on Tuesday, August 26th at 7:30pm at the High School.
On Monday, August 25, 2008 the Waterford Graded School District will be holding their Annual District Meeting where they present and hold a hearing on their proposed budget for the school year. This meeting starts at 7:00pm at the Evergreen Elementary School Cafeteria.
The Waterford Union High School will be holding their Annual District Meeting where they present and hold a hearing on their proposed budget for the school year. This meeting is going to be held on Tuesday, August 26th at 7:30pm at the High School.
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