GFW

seeks

excess

levy

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

GIBBON -- Voters in GFW Schools are being asked to make a decision Nov. 7 on an excess levy referendum.

School officials say passage of the levy could maintain existing program and restore some cut last year.

Voters will be faced with two questions on the ballot. Both questions must pass in order for the district to gain additional funding.

The first question will ask if taxes can be increased so the district can receive an additional $450 per student unit, for a total of $572,564 per year. Of that amount, $400 per pupil unit will be used to keep existing programs and restore some programs that were cut.

The remaining $50 per student unit will be used to provide technology such as computers, educational software, and training.

The second question, the $50 per student unit, will only be put into effect by GFW if the first question, the $400 per student unit, is approved.

If the referendum doesn't pass, the district will face additional cuts. Those reductions could include agricultural summer programs, high school cheerleading, dance, wrestling, track, elementary and middle school technology, choir, band, music classes, the high school dean, counseling programs, student council, and administrative staff.

GFW will also begin consolidation discussions with area schools if the referendum fails, Malone said.

Officials have been holding a series of informational meetings in an attempt to educate the public, as well as students, about the process and the need.

"Students told us they were not informed about the referendum last time," Superintendent Stephen Malone said. "We hope to remedy that this time by holding an informational meeting for students as well."

A failed referendum in November 1999 forced cuts of $600,000. The district lost three elementary teachers, middle school art, eighth-grade health, high school art, high school driver's education, middle school wrestling, middle school golf, high school cross country, and numerous other programs.

Although the district is currently operating in the black, roof repairs at all three buildings have been delayed because of finances, Malone said.

The district borrowed $400,000 during the summer to meet payroll, utilities, and other operating expenses while waiting for payments from the state. The loan will be repaid at the end of the school year, Malone said.

If the referendum passes, the approximate tax impact on a house with an approximate market value of $60,000 will be a total increase of $61 for taxes payable in 2001, an increase of about $5 per month.

The general fund balance at the end of 1999-2000 was $578,216, a decrease of $106,351 from the fund balance at the end of 1998-1999.

Revenue for the current year is $6,654,879 with expenses totalling $6,761,230.

The decreasing fund balance is a result of declining enrollments, resulting in less funding from the state, Malone said.