People in the Manitowoc Public School District have some questions about the upcoming $25 referendum.
Interim Superintendent Lee Thennes answered some questions on WOMT’s Be My Guest program including why the district should be doing a referendum at all if the costs will be offset later.
Thennes says the district can’t offset $25 million in one year.
“We can’t offset $25 million at one time, we don’t have the capital to do that,” he stated. “But what we can do by right-sizing some things is to make sure that those payments are covered because, again, we are talking a million and a half to two million dollars.”
Thennes also explained that it’s not a good idea in the first place to pay off the projects that need to be done in one year.
“What that’s doing is, you then essentially are paying for that project all in one year, for something that is going to last thirty or forty years,” he explained. “And that’s not a smart way to do it.”
The interim superintendent was also asked about making the fixes on schools over time, but unfortunately, they must rely on referendums which is a cause from students not attending the district.
Thennes also explained that if the district were to close a school and consolidate, there would need to be more community conversations.
The $25 million referendum would be for immediate needs in the district like a modern fire alarm system, tuck pointing, and roof repairs.
The referendum will be on the April 1st General Election ballot.
