Post by title1parent on Jun 17, 2008 6:38:08 GMT -5
East pitch will go on Nov. ballot
June 17, 2008Recommend
By Erika Wurst ewurst@scn1.com
AURORA -- The East Aurora District will be reaching out again to voters in November as they seek to issue $32 million of working cash fund bonds to cover operations costs and balance the district's budget by 2010.
After years of failed referendums, the school board voted on Monday to once again seek a spot on the ballot. This time, officials are aiming for a lowered request -- of about 35 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation -- in order to issue the $32 million in bonds. In the past, the requested rate increase has been as high as 85-cents per $100.
"It's been a pretty well discussed topic over the last couple of months," District Spokesman Clayton Muhammad said Monday. "We knew this was coming down the pipe months ago. We learned things (from the past failed referendums). We're going to take advantage of time and work with parents and neighborhoods.
"When we come out, we will come out strong, as a united front."
In the past, referendum supporters had about eight weeks to rally, putting up yard signs and handing out pamphlets. This time, they will have until November 4 to get voters on board.
"It's less than a dollar a day for our children's education," Muhammad said. "We have to make it happen, and the community here has shown it is ready to jump on board."
The sole opposing vote came from Board Member RayAnne Carlson, who has stated in the past that she cannot support borrowing money against the future of the district's students.
But, while programs continue to be cut, the district is striving to just stay afloat financially.
"It won't bring back programs," said District Treasurer Jay Augustine. "But it will keep us from cutting ... It's a hard thing (to ask taxpayers for more money) and we don't do this lightly. The economy is hard right now, and this is a hard call for people. But we need to go forward and put it on the ballot."
Muhammad hopes that the number of voters heading to the polls for the presidential election will increase the number of voters weighing in on the referendum issue. Around mid summer, East Side residents can expect to see droves of volunteers, which this year includes many students, hit the ground running on their quest to seek voter approval.
Comment online at beaconnewsonline.com
June 17, 2008Recommend
By Erika Wurst ewurst@scn1.com
AURORA -- The East Aurora District will be reaching out again to voters in November as they seek to issue $32 million of working cash fund bonds to cover operations costs and balance the district's budget by 2010.
After years of failed referendums, the school board voted on Monday to once again seek a spot on the ballot. This time, officials are aiming for a lowered request -- of about 35 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation -- in order to issue the $32 million in bonds. In the past, the requested rate increase has been as high as 85-cents per $100.
"It's been a pretty well discussed topic over the last couple of months," District Spokesman Clayton Muhammad said Monday. "We knew this was coming down the pipe months ago. We learned things (from the past failed referendums). We're going to take advantage of time and work with parents and neighborhoods.
"When we come out, we will come out strong, as a united front."
In the past, referendum supporters had about eight weeks to rally, putting up yard signs and handing out pamphlets. This time, they will have until November 4 to get voters on board.
"It's less than a dollar a day for our children's education," Muhammad said. "We have to make it happen, and the community here has shown it is ready to jump on board."
The sole opposing vote came from Board Member RayAnne Carlson, who has stated in the past that she cannot support borrowing money against the future of the district's students.
But, while programs continue to be cut, the district is striving to just stay afloat financially.
"It won't bring back programs," said District Treasurer Jay Augustine. "But it will keep us from cutting ... It's a hard thing (to ask taxpayers for more money) and we don't do this lightly. The economy is hard right now, and this is a hard call for people. But we need to go forward and put it on the ballot."
Muhammad hopes that the number of voters heading to the polls for the presidential election will increase the number of voters weighing in on the referendum issue. Around mid summer, East Side residents can expect to see droves of volunteers, which this year includes many students, hit the ground running on their quest to seek voter approval.
Comment online at beaconnewsonline.com