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Timing is Everything by Tom Steiner |
Tom Steiner
Board President
If that isn't enough, The President's cap and trade initiative will add significantly to your utility bills. The President's push for universal health care will take even more money out of your paycheck. If there is anything left after all this, the State's biannual budget will relieve you of the problem of having all that spare change in your pocket. Did I mention that if you dare to buy a new car, it will cost even more because of the new CAFÉ standards? I hope the high school doesn't need any more money. You probably think I should have my head examined for suggesting that you consider raising your school taxes for the next 20 years or so given this bleak picture I have just painted.
If you haven't punched out your computer screen or torn up your newsletter yet, give me the chance to explain how the Board may be able to make this work with hopefully very little disruption to your pocket book. Several circumstances play in the taxpayers' favor. First, the school district is in good financial shape so the District's bond rating should be good. Second, the Wilmot facility is not taxpayer friendly when it comes to energy bills. This cost to the taxpayer will only increase if cap and trade becomes a reality, so doing nothing could be expensive. Additionally, we can possibly borrow some of the money for construction at zero percent interest, paying only about two points in fees on that principal, thanks to the federal stimulus package.
Interest rates are low but have likely bottomed and are increasing. Once the inevitable inflation hits in a year or two, the market rates we lock in if a referendum is approved, will only be a fraction of what interest rates will be two, five or ten years down the road. The current referendum debt expires in 2014. It may be possible to modify or backload the payment schedule on the new debt so there is only a small increase in the cost of the debt service. We will then extend our debt service about 20 years. In addition, there may be grants available for energy efficiency or other initiatives made available through federal or state programs that may be of benefit to our district. All the District is planning to do is to replace an existing building with a more efficient structure to reduce operational costs.
If the electorate passes a referendum in November 2009, the levy will not likely make it to our property tax bills until January of 2011. By then the economy should be in recovery. There is no question the District will have a difficult time financially over the next three or four years, given the financial situation of the state. The Board hopes to weather this storm by holding the line on costs and thereby remain within the confines of our revenue cap. A building referendum that reduces our operating costs can only help our District remain under our revenue cap.
Since the value of all the assessed property in the District and the level of state aid are beyond the control of the Board and are the main contributors in determining your property taxes, the Board cannot guarantee there will be no increase in our school property tax levy. We are in good financial shape now and it is the Board's intention to keep our financials in good order. That is the only way we know to protect our academic programs and the taxpayer. We will begin putting the financial picture for a referendum together for your review. Please keep an open mind as you review this information.
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Marcie Badtke has given 12 years of her time for the benefit of the children of both the Wilmot School District and the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated School District. Our schools are better today both academically and financially because of your service. We will miss your input. Thank you, Mrs. Badtke.
Steve Voltz has retired after over 30 years of service to the Trevor School District and the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated School District. Mr. Voltz has had an amazing career and we wish him well in retirement. Mr. Voltz has made our District a better place and his contributions will be felt for years to come by both our District and his former students. Thank you, Mr. Voltz.
Sue Milligan is also retiring after a long career of almost 24 years spanning both the Wilmot Grade School District and the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated School District. We greatly appreciated her services in providing a seamless transition through the consolidation process. More importantly, Sue has been a positive influence on the thousands of students who have passed through our schools during her tenure. Thank you, Mrs. Milligan.
It is also important to thank the community for stepping up and giving us a choice among several school board candidates in the April election. A special thank you is in order for Kirt Houghton, Sue Giovanni and Lynn Jaeger for taking the time and effort to run for public office. The PTO did an excellent job by providing a candidate forum. Mrs. Bossong did a great job as moderator of this event.
In conclusion, taxpayers are often taken for granted by elected officials. Our Board knows how hard you work to earn the money we collect and use to operate our schools. To honor your sacrifice, we work hard to make sure we spend your money efficiently. Thank you, especially in these difficult times, for your continued support of our schools.
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Change in Response to Swine Flu |
Federal officials now recommend that schools stop closing when a case of swine flu is confirmed at a school, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday.
Scientists believe the H1N1 virus epidemic is no more dangerous than seasonal flu, and schools should act accordingly, Sebelius said.
"This virus does not seem to be as severe as we once thought it would be," she said at a news conference at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sick students should be kept home for seven days, she said, "but the schools should feel comfortable about opening." Schools that have been closed can reopen, Sebelius said.
Our district is working proactively to educate parents and students about the facts concerning this disease.
This swine influenza A H1N1 virus is a new virus that has not been identified previously in people, and viral person-to-person transmission appears to be occurring. Swine flu is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets (i.e. coughing and sneezing) from an infected person. The virus is not spread by food including pork or pork products.
The symptoms of human swine flu are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu have reported additional symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some situations, the virus can develop into pneumonia. It is believed that the seasonal influenza vaccine does not provide protection against swine flu.
Parents and students should consider the following prevention measures:
- Cover all coughs and sneezes
- Wash hands frequently - especially after coughing, sneezing, and blowing
- one's nose
- Avoid touching of nose, mouth, and eyes
- Properly dispose of all contaminated tissues
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people:
- If you get sick, the Center for Disease Control recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. (Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.)
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