The two candidates vying to hold the Manitowoc Mayoral seat debated on several topics yesterday afternoon (March 23rd) on WOMT and WCUB radio including the Manitowoc Public School District referendum.
That referendum is asking the taxpayers for permission to spend $4.3 million annually over the next three years to provide and maintain current services of operation. The recent referendum approved in 2018 allowing for $3.5 million to be spent annually for similar expenses expires at the end of the current school year.
Challenger Chris Able says the current system is broken.
“I think it’s important to recognize that something is seriously structurally wrong when districts have to continually go to referendum to keep and maintain status quo,” he said. “Something needs to be corrected other than at the local level.”
Incumbent Mayor Justin Nickels actually agreed with his challenger, saying, “There is a funding problem and unfortunately school districts like ours that have spent responsibly dating back to the early nineties when the stare formula was changed, we’re behind as opposed to other school districts.”
Where the two candidates disagree is where the District is sovereign thus be allowed to Find other ways of funding capital.
Challenger Chris Able said, “The city is a separate unit of government and the school district has its own sovereignty. Therefore, they should be making their own decisions. They’ have clearly laid out their case and people should as I will make their choice April 6th at the ballot box.”
Mayor Nickels elaborated on his point of view, explaining that “Even though it’s a separate entity of government as a Mayor I need the whole community to be successful. A strong School District with great teachers and administrators is essential to this. I think it’s a responsibility as a leader to support when issues like this arise in our school district.”
The Spring General Election is Tuesday April 6th. In-person Absentee Voting began yesterday.