LETTER: Confusing debt prepayment at issue in NOSD referendum

To Ozaukee Press:

The recent mailer from the Northern Ozaukee School District explains a repeat of the referendum that the taxpayers rejected last year. Once again, the School Board is asking for permission to exceed the revenue limits set by the state. What they are not saying is that they exceeded the revenue limit last year by $1.35 million. There were no informational flyers, meetings at the high school or articles in the newspaper. There was no question and answer allowed at the budget meeting last October. This is very disturbing.

What is even more disturbing is that they have exceeded the revenue limits every year for the last six years. This has resulted in $7 million in additional taxation. The district is taking advantage of a state law that allows the school districts to raise taxes by any amount for debt prepayment without taxpayer approval.

This is the infamous bucket shifting plan, which caused a lot of confusion last year. Once again voters are having a hard time understanding how shifting taxes from one bucket to another keeps their school taxes the same.

At the October budget meeting, the School Board voted to raise 2024 school taxes by $1.35 million. It does not benefit students or teachers or help educate them.

This year’s flyer has the same message as last year. Give us permission to exceed the revenue limit and we will take taxes out of one bucket and replace them with taxes in a different bucket. Bingo! Taxes stay the same.

The priorities of the School Board have been athletic-related projects. This despite the fact there is no longer enough participation to support a football team or boys and girls soccer on their own and the teams had to combine with Random Lake.

Last year, the board approved spending to remove the existing track and build a new one. They also approved plans to remove the existing maintenance building and concession stand and build a new building to include public bathrooms and concession stand with an attached area for the maintenance department.

Last year’s $1.7 million per year referendum was voted down by taxpayers. They told us it was for “up to $1.7 million” and they would only levy for what they really need.

Gov. Evers passed significant revenue limit increases that are providing NOSD with an additional $700,000 they had not budgeted for. Yet, here they are, still asking for $1.7 million.

This issue is about accountability, honesty and transparency. Vote “no” on April 2.

Peter Kowalchuk

Town of Saukville