Board of Education considers solutions to financial issues

Story by Emily Connor

Since the Nov. 4 elections, many students and staff have been speculating on the many changes the Plymouth School District will have to face after its failure to pass a referendum to keep current programs alive.
  
The referendum’s final vote totals were 3,775 votes Yes and 4,919 votes No, a difference of 1,144 votes.  Because of Plymouth’s decision, the school district’s estimated projections show that they will now have to compensate for a deficit of $900,000.  However, this number is merely an estimation, as many costs could either go up or down during the remainder of the school year.
  
In regards to what the Plymouth Board of Education has chosen to eliminate, nothing is currently decided.  The board will hold three meetings, Dec. 1 at 7p.m., Dec. 3 at 5p.m. and Dec. 8 at 5p.m., where they will review estimates and discuss possible ways of solving the financial situation.  The board will then advise the administration what will be the best course of action.
  
“The board plans to find what reductions will cause the least harm, but at the same time implement strategies to help us,” said Superintendent Dr. Clark Reinke.
  
A few possibilities that are in definite consideration would be eliminating all bussing.  The board is under current investigation as to whether state law will allow the complete elimination of a bussing system.  Currently, a school may eliminate bussing if all of the schools of the school district are within the city limits. All of the Plymouth schools are within Plymouth’s city limits, with the exception of Cascade Elementary.  A possible downside is that extra-curricular activities would then have to fund-raise in order to receive bussing to away school games.
  
Another possibility in consideration would be moving all 5th grade sections of elementary schools to Riverview Middle School.  This would eliminate teachers and hopefully not lose any possible students.
  
The board is sure that they do not want to make any decisions that will discourage student enrollment.  With more students in the school district, Plymouth is provided more state aid from Wisconsin.  Thus, the board does not want to eliminate extra-curricular activities or close schools, both of which are things that could deter possible student enrollment. These options are in consideration, but the board would like to stay away from these options as much as possible.
  
The board has not set a date to reach any final decisions yet. “There are many unknown variables at this time, how many students will be enrolled, teachers retiring or possible state budgeting, that affect the decisions,” said Reinke. After several meetings, the board hopes to reach some more definite decisions about what to do.
  
The possibility of another attempt at passing the referendum remains undecided. The board may reach a decision at a further date.