During the school board meeting on Feb. 8, the proposed referendum in regard to school funding will be formally voted on. The school board will then implement a plan to share information with the community, so that when it comes time to vote in May, the public will decide if a tax will help fund the school to stop job losses and protect class sizes.

The school board plans to organize a committee that will share information with the community. The group will be called the District Referendum Key Communicators Committee and it will be in charge of creating a clear timeline and enlisting various volunteers.

Not only does the $3 million budget cut that meets the district’s fiscal responsibility provide a problem, but so does the additional $3.8 million cut announced by the state. Ever since school funding shifted from property to sales tax and the recent recession, the source of revenue has become unstable. In order to stop job losses and increased class sizes, the school system must find an alternative source of revenue. This could be done by a referendum.

Superintendent Jeff Swensson said the committee will help the community better understand the situation in which the school system is facing. He said, “The committee will help share information in as many ways as possible. This could be done in person, presentations, information provided online or by sending e-mails.”

Swensson said he hopes the school funding problem will be solved by a referendum. “I think our enduring challenge is how can we get better. We do a terrific job now but the key to anything academic is you always want to grow,” he said. “Our goal right now, what we want to do, is protect class sizes.” By Sarah Sheafer <[email protected]>