Manitowoc Public Schools Superintendent Mark Holzman says the response was good during last night’s public input session on a referendum that will appear on the April 6th Spring General Election Ballot asking permission from taxpayers to spend $4.3 million annually over the next three years.
“We are in the final year of a three-year taxpayer-funded referendum in the amount of three and a half million dollars annually. We’re asking for continued support that’s absolutely paramount to maintain what we have.”
A question asked often was why does the District have to continually go to referendum to ask for money? Holzman says that back in 1994 The State Legislature set revenue caps on school districts limiting their ability to raise funds.
“Manitowoc is one of the lowest in the state in terms of per pupil spending. The state allocates the same amount regardless of what a school district spends and it won’t change unless you go back to referendum.
The MPSD Superintendent adds the pandemic has taken its toll on The District’s finances.
“Prior to the pandemic we had one-on-one devices for students five-thru-twelve. They’re now disbursed kindergarten thru grade 12. We needed to buy hot spots and pucks so all families and students could have access to robust wi-fi during virtual learning at a monthly broadband cost of $18,000.”
The tax levy is expected to decrease a cent to $7.80 per one thousand dollars of equalized property value under this proposal. In the last year, over 150 school districts statewide -including Manitowoc- have gone to a referendum asking taxpayers for financial help.
The next listening session is scheduled for March 24th at 6:30 p.m. Log onto the MPSD website or call during regular business hours for more information.
