EKW JUNE 15th DETACHMENT/ATTACHMENT FORUM

THIS PAGE FOR IMPORTANT EKW MEETINGS

AN OPEN FORUM


THE EKW BOARD OF EDUCATION HELD AN OPEN FORUM ON THE DETACHEMENT PETITION JULY 15th, 1999 AT ELROY SCHOOL CAFETERIA.

THE NORWALK-ONTARIO BOARD OF EDUCATION WAS ALSO PRESENT


Mr. Robert Soldner from Wisconsin Departmet of Public Instruction was present and after a brief introduction to what the State of Wisconsin Statues were regarding detachment went to a question and answer period.

  • Q. What are considered Assets and Liabilties?
    Mr. Soldner: There are no hard rules regarding what are considere assets or liabilties. It is whaever both districts involved mutually agree to.
  • Q. Could we assume that the attached district would pick up a proportional amount of our debt?
    Soldner: It is hard to give a definite answer as so many factors enter in but basicilly that is correct. Again that would have to be determined by legal counsul from both parties.
  • Q. If no action is taken by Sept 15th can the process be repeated?
    Soldner: There is a one year limitation before the petition could be submited again if it is denied and no other action taken before Sept 15th in year of denial.
    Mr. Soldner went on to say that the school boards could waive they one year waiting period if they wished.
  • Q. Would that have to be a joint resolution by both boards?
    Soldner: Each School board would have to adopted a resolution waiving the limitation.
  • Q. Is the only time the referendum can be held is in November?
    Soldner: If a referendum is called it must be held in November.
  • Q. Does the prorated debt stay with the taxpayers of Wilton District or is prorated throughout the district being attached - Norwalk/Ontario?
    Soldner: The debt becomes the responsibility of the School Board of Norwalk-Ontario district in its entirety.
  • Q. Say the referendum passes and the two boards come to an impasse what is the next step?
    Soldner: Decisions will have to be made by both boards but the head of the Department of Public would be available to help if necessary. If there still are problems it may take a decision by the Circuit Court.
  • Q. Before going to referendum would detailed facts about costs,liabilities etc. be forthcoming?
    Pres. Yahnke: Yes all facts concerning costs, liabilities etc. would be detailed and published prior to any referendum.
  • Q. Why have no other school districts gone through this procedure. Is there some other way that we are not aware of?
    Soldner:The present statutes we are working under were created in 1989. There has always been ways districts could change their boundaries but this recent law became effective as I said in 1989. Most changes have been small individual parcels with very few assets or liabilities other than the property be transferred. This is the first large territory to request such transfer.
  • Q. What about Juniors and Senior being able to remain in their original district if district attaches to another district? Would Juniors be able to stay without being required to go through the "School Choice Option'?
    Soldner: Only those students who have received Senior Status would be allowed to remain all others would have to go through "School Choice"
  • Q.Refering to a previous question could you explain in more detail how we going to get the facts and figures regarding assets and liabilities involved in a detachment/attachment prior to a referendum.
    Soldner: It is going to be very hard to do and no one should kid themselves in thinking it is going to be easy but your school board President has indicated that the school boards would work to have as many of the questions answered as possible.
  • Q. Is the appeals process to the Circuit Court, Is that only after an attachment has been granted?
    Soldner: Yes, only after an attachment has been granted is appeal to Circuit Court possible.
  • Q. If attachment to Norwalk Ontario becomes a reality would we be looking at students attending in 2000 or 2001?
    Soldner: Attachment would be effective as of July 1st 2000. So students would be attending beginning in that year.
  • Q. Basically does the district accepting the students from the detached district have to make arrangements to acquire emergency funding as State Aid would not kick in until the following year?
    Soldner: There is a provision under the revenue act that allows the Supt of Public Instruction to determine when districts are involved what the increase cost are and the Superintendent will make a determination after all the income and liabilities are made available from the two school districts involved. Adjustments would them be made for both districts.
  • Q. Since Norwalk-Ontario are the receiving district what type of help are we going to get from the DPI?
    Solder: DPI and staff will be there to help with full participation in what ever areas are necessary but will need detailed information from both districts involved.
  • Q. In talking about assets and liabilities we have talked about computers and such but has any consideration been given to staff is the human aspect considered and asset or liability?
    Soldner: Yes, the law does cover that aspect. Personal losing jobs in the detached district have first priority upon application to any available jobs in the attached district. The parties wishing such jobs must notify the proper authorities of their interest.
  • Q. I just wanted to be clear that State aids would stay with the EKW district if there was detachment?
    Solder: State Aids are based on the prior years enrollment and costs and would be paid to that district in the full amount in that first year after detachment. However, future years would be based on the enrollment and additional aids that become available because of declining enrollment within the district caused by the detachment and that is where things get more complicated.
  • Q. You say that the State Supt. can determine what the district receiving the additional enrollment will receive in State aids. Is that a change in requiring the district must go to referendum to increase revenue caps?
    Soldner: Yes, I will read you right from the Statues: The year the transfer is effective revenue limits are increased or decreased by the amount equal to the cost of extending services to the attached territory in the school year to which the limit applies as determined by the State Supt.
  • Q. Say the attachment is a done deal but I have a child that would like to stay in the EKW district can they do so by the school choice option.
  • Q. Yes, if you are interested in keeping your child in the district definitely apply for Open Enrollment.
  • Q. If we decide to go to referendum in November and the EKW district vote turns it down and the N/O district votes for attachment then if we have to wait a year would that mean nothing before July 2001?
    Soldner: It is the time that petition is presented not the date of the referendum and since the petition was presented in June of 1999 that would mean any time after July 1st 2000.
  • Q. If the referendum passes and the 200 students go to Norwalk/Ontario does the declining enrollment apply to the remaining EKW district?
    Soldner: Yes the declining enrollment formula would kick in and apply for that year.

    At this point Superintendent Art Keenan challenged the statement by Mr. Soldner saying: I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams the DPI will allow this district to claim a declining enrollment factor and then turn around and work through an open enrollment factor which is going to bring and additional $4,500 per student plus 75% of per student cost on the very same children leaving the district. I believe we are going to be told it is going to be one way or the other. I don't want to put you on the spot Bob but I don't want the audience to walk out of here and go home and take these figures and say, Holy Cripes! EKW is going to gain a million dollars if we let these kids go. $4,500.00 per on declining enrollment ,times 75% of the approximate $6,700.00 per student. That's a lot of money, I think that would be a hot item during these days of Revenue Caps.

  • Q. I am not sure if I am going to ask the same question that Art did but if I am following this and the EK district would get 75% of the $6,700 per the 200 students or whatever transferred out of EKW. Plus in the first year they would get revenues based on the prior years enrollment and expenses is that not correct.
    Soldner: Somewhat at a loss as to what to say, actually turned politician and skirted the question saying, I got an easier way to answer this. I think if it goes to referendum I along with a lot of others from the DPI will get involved in working this out. Having more meeting than I would like to attend. So I think until that time comes there is not much use trying to work out the details now.
  • Q. Questionnaire persisted: But it does seem that there is going to a lot of additional revenue that first year after any detachment.
    Soldner: I don't want to Art on the spot but revenue calculations mean strange things happen because you do three year averages and because there are independent and separate exceptions to the law since revenue limits were instituted. It is possible that under the present set up a district could loose a large number one year and get them back and gain in revenue by so doing. Just because that is the way the numbers work.
  • Q. Is there any restrictions in the law that limits school boards of the two districts of sitting down and agreeing how to handle the transportation of students that want to remain in the detaching area either under senior permission or school choice.
    I have put that down as one thing to consult with my associates when I get back and will get a letter off to you or Art on that matter.
  • Q. Can school boards agree among themselves without input from DPI what they consider assets and liabilities?
    Soldner: Yes, and decisions are subject to three fourth approval from each board.
  • Q. Who makes the decisions for deadline meeting regarding the deals between the DPI and School Boards?
    Soldner: It is going to have to be a cooperative effort. Each have equal authority to suggest or request deadlines.
  • Q. What would be the latest that the board could vote to go to referendum and still give the DPI time to get their part of the work done?
    Soldner: I can not begin to guess.
  • Q. How familiar are you with the open meeting law, could some of these meeting be held in closed session?
    I am not well informed on this matter at all. That would be a question for your legal consul to answer.

    So ended nearly an hour of questions and answers on the impact the detachment would have on both the EKW and Norwalk/Ontario Districts.

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