HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) — Voters in the Howard-Suamico school district will vote on two referendums this April.
The first question is whether or not to reduce annual funding going towards reducing class sizes and maintaining staff compensation from $5.85 million to $5 million. The second is for $98 million to go towards facility work.
“Every building will be touched by this referendum,” Board member Jason Potts tells WTAQ. “One great example is Forest Glen elementary school. It has a roof that needs to be replaced. That is a significant project.”
Potts says the referendum is evidence of the respect the district has for taxpayers. Superintendent Damian LaCroix says that was a major point of discussion within the district.
“We had a lot of conversations around how we can manage need in the district along with tax tolerance and tax sensitivity towards our taxpaying residents,” LaCroix told WTAQ.
Rather than increase the levy, the district is actually considering the opposite.
“At our January 25th board meeting, the board will actually be considering whether to lower our tax levy rate,” said Potts.
Among the projects being considered for the $98 million in facility work are a new roof at Forest Glen Elementary school. Potts says every building will be touched by the referendum.
LaCroix is confident.
“We have a long history of support for our schools in the Howard-Suamico community,” LaCroix said Tuesday. “Frankly, you never find a great community without great schools, and similarly, you never find a great school without a great community.”
The referendum will be held on April 6th.
