DPI and Public Service Commission Partner to Help Improve High Speed Internet Connectivity

Please help the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) collect data regarding broadband internet in Wisconsin by completing their survey:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JE92dSoVPE2XPrkRbNAriTqM04xAyvLO5tZdePqigr4/edit#heading=h.9gsasx4wsmlh

Election Results

The Board of Canvassers met on Wednesday, April 3^rd and certified the election results for the referendum question as well as the races for the two open seats on our board of education.  The certified results are as follows:

Referendum:                         YES = 308      NO = 180

Board of Education:            

Alsbury = 331             Lovelady = 293           Bowers = 230              Write In = 1

With the passage of the referendum question, our district will have the authority to levy an additional $500,000.00 in 14-15 and 15-16 and $550,000.00 in 16-17 and 17-18.  This directly translates to a much greater ability to maintain, enhance, and improve both programming and facilities district-wide over the years of the new referendum.  The community support for our school district is phenomenal and is the primary reason for the continued success of this district. 

The board election results indicate that both Nate Alsbury and Josh Lovelady retain their seats on the board while Chad Bowers remains on the board as an appointee as a result of Brandon Olson’s resignation in December of 2012.  Remember that there were only two vacant seats with three people running.  Since Chad Bowers was not elected to a vacant seat by popular vote this time around, he will have to run again in April of 2014 for a three year term at that time.  For the time being, he retains his appointment to the board and will have to be elected to a seat by popular vote in next spring’s election to retain a seat past April of 2014.  In short, the board remains “status quo” until the next election cycle.  I will also note that the News-Shield incorrectly reported that Chad Bowers would have to be re-appointed; this is not the case as his appointment is effective until April of 2014 as outlined in State statute and described above.

Thank you all once again for your support of this referendum and your continued support of our schools.

As always, you may contact me at any time with questions.

Sincerely,

Craig G. Broeren

District Administrator

715-455-1683 ext. 119

broeren@prairiefarm.k12.wi.us

Referendum Election Tuesday, April 2nd 2013

As many of you are aware, on Tuesday, April 2nd we will be asking voters to approve a referendum to exceed the revenue cap.  This new referendum will replace the two that are expiring at the conclusion of the next school year (13-14) totaling $450,000.00.  The new referendum will total $500,000.00 in the first two years (14-15 and 15-16) and $550,000.00 in the second two years (16-17 and 17-18). The impact on local property taxes will be minimal based on what we have experienced in the past; a range of 10.0 to 12.5 is what is predicted for the duration of the new referendum.  Our last information session is this evening at 7:00 pm in the HS IMC.

Please vote YES on Tuesday, April 2nd!

Please contact me at any time with questions.

Craig G. Broeren
715-455-1683 ext. 119
broeren@prairiefarm.k12.wi.us

Walker Backs Accountability Report Cards for Voucher Schools?

In an apparent change of heart, Governor Walker has indicated that he is in favor of holding voucher schools accountable to at least the standards dictated by the "new" school report cards.  Following is a link to the Journal- Sentinel article:

http://www.thecountrytoday.com/front_page/article_f4782db2-805d-11e2-9800-0019bb2963f4.html

More On Voucher Plan

Senate President Mike Ellis (R)- Neenah provides some opinions on the impending voucher expansion discussed as part of the 13-15 budget:

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=290802

The WASB Reaction to the Governor's Budget

The following link will bring you to a copy of the Wisconsin Association of School Board's (WASB) press release regarding the Governor's proposed budget:

http://www.thewheelerreport.com/wheeler_docs/files/0218wasb.pdf

Superintendent Ever's Response to the State Budget

State Superintendent Tony Evers issued a statement regarding the state education budget as previewed to news media over the weekend. Additional information is available on the Department of Public Instruction newsroom website http://news.dpi.wi.gov/files/eis/pdf/dpinr2013_26.pdf.

 

Please direct comments or questions about this news item to Patrick Gasper, DPI Communications Officer, (608) 266-3559. (DPI staff members monitor calls and messages on this line every business day.)