Schools

Parents Try to Save Hillside From Closure in Tax Levy Vote

But a parent's motion to increase the proposed school tax levy by $1.5 million to keep Hillside open was ruled out of order.

In an attempt to keep , two district residents Monday tried to add $1.5 million to the proposed school property tax levy but were ruled out of order.

Resident Julie Doyle said the extra $1.5 million would "cover operating expenses of Hillside Elementary, thereby preventing its closure." Chuck Bloom seconded her motion.

But another resident pointed out — and Superintendent Matt Gibson agreed — that the discussed Monday night includes full funding for Hillside's operation this year.

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Elm Grove Village Manager Dave DeAngelis, who served as the annual meeting's parliamentarian, said the motion was not germaine and could not be voted upon.

Gibson added the proposed tax levy already "taxes to the maximum" allowed under state revenue caps.

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He said district electors could make an advisory vote to increase the proposed levy, but the School Board could not legally exceed the revenue caps without getting approval in a referendum. The board will adopt a final budget and levy in October, after factoring in any changes in enrollment, state aid and other issues.

The majority of the School Board has recommended that Hillside be closed after this school year to address excess elementary school building space and projected future budget deficits.

The board will explain its position and seek community feedback at two meetings — 7 p.m. Thursday in the Brookfield East High School cafeteria and 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Brookfield Central High School cafeteria.

After Doyle's motion was set aside, the audience and board members voted 16-6 to approve the proposed $71.97 million levy, which is down 7.6 percent from the previous year's levy of $77.89 million.

Only about a dozen residents were in the audience, one of the smallest crowds in years. Former Brookfield Mayor Jeff Speaker chaired the meeting.

The audience also gave unanimous voice vote to keep the annual salary for each School Board member at $3,600 and approve a total $1,600 travel budget for the entire board.

Resident Don Bardonner expressed concern about the impact of previous year's budget cuts on student achievement and the quality of instruction.

Gibson agreed that the jury was still out, given the lack of sufficient years to track changes. But he said he believed Elmbrook has been able to make targeted cuts that have not hurt the "Elmbrook education" with high-achieving curriculum, arts and athletics. There has been a slight decline in reading scores, he added.

"I think we're still ahead of the curve," Gibson said, adding closing an elementary school and possibly selling the district adminstrative offices will help shore up funds to keep Elmbrook a top-notch district.

"We're in better financial position that most," he said.

Gibson presented detail on Elmbrook's state standardized test scores and showing how well the district compared to its academic benchmark districts. In some cases, only one area school district scored higher than Elmbrook: Whitefish Bay.

School Board members Glen Allgaier and Tom Gehl explained why the tax levy was down nearly $6 million: the state's decision to lower school districts' revenue caps by 5.5 percent.

That $6 million was offset substantially by $3.8 million in labor costs shifted from the district to its employees, under the so-called budget repair bill or Act 10.

Employees were paying 3 percent of their health insurance premiums and nothing toward their pensions, but now will be paying an average of 12.6 percent for health and 5.8 percent for pensions.

For a teacher earning a $65,000 annual salary, that will mean an 8.5 percent cut in pay before taxes of about $5,448, Allgaier said. Changes in the health plan design, effective Jan. 1, will save more money for the district.

With minimal state aid, Elmbrook relies on property taxes for 78 percent of its total revenue. The only area districts that rely even heavier on property taxes are the Mequon-Thiensville, Pewaukee and Oconomowoc districts.

The board presented other information at Monday's annual meeting:

  • Elmbrook spends more than its peer districts on buildings and grounds maintenance, but less on adminstrative costs.
  • The district next year will pay off its debt for the construction of Dixon and Brookfield elementary schools three years earlier than the 15 years originally planned.
  • Gibson, thanked everyone at what was his 17th annual meeting at Elmbrook and the district's 46th in history. "I hope to be sitting with you in the audience next year and cheering on my successor," he said.
  • Gehl said the board will discuss whether to add but the issue will not be on the board's agendas in October. He said he didn't know yet when it would be scheduled for debate and a vote.


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