LETTER: Students will benefit in many ways if referendum approved

To Ozaukee Press:

As I read the letter to the editor in last week’s paper titled “Confusing debt prepayment at issue in NOSD referendum,” I questioned how accurate this information was. I took it upon myself to reach out to the district to find answers.

The district is looking to exceed the revenue limit by $1.7 million for the next four years because funds are needed to maintain current operations, including the following:

•  Maintaining current levels of operations and programs by filling budget shortfalls.

• Continuing technical education offerings to prepare students for the workforce, including manufacturing, robotics and automotive.

• Keeping the school resource officer to provide additional school safety.

• Keeping the mental health counselor to address increased needs.

• Keeping the best educators and staff.

• Providing class sizes that offer a high-quality learning environment.

• Continuing to improve facilities and grounds.

State statutes do not allow a district to exceed revenue limits without approval from district residents. It is inaccurate to say the district has been exceeding these limits in past years.

The letter stated that NOSD “raised 2024 school taxes by $1.35 million.” Looking at my personal property taxes from 2023, the school line went down by 5.3% from the prior year. The district confirmed that the total tax levy decreased by $50,000 from the total NOSD school tax levy for 2022 to 2023. I am sure others will be able to confirm the same on their own tax bills.

It is wrong for community members to

put out inaccurate information to the rest of the public without understanding what they are posting is wrong. I suggest that voters rely on dependable sources of information prior to casting their vote on April 2.

Vote “yes” for our children—they deserve it.

Ben Rozewicz

Fredonia