The boards of the school district and village met last night to discuss common issues. Those common issues included the construction now taking place at Blackwood Creek across from the high school, the joint intent to push secession from the MATC technical college district, and the TIF district revenue shift proposed by the village.
There were no 'fireworks' as some had suggested; there were also no final decisions taken.
Representatives of MATC seemed 'lukewarm' to the TIF transfers, citing the 2003 transfer that they stated had lengthened the TIF district 3 life by two years. The school board president, Michael Erdmann, discussed the fact that the school district would be able to reduce the tax levy if the transfer were not to occur. The school district covers more taxing entities than just the village, so those entities need be considered, as well.
Village president Kempinski stated his hope that MATC would not be seeking 'retaliation' (my word) against Germantown's secession movement by not approving the TIF action. There was no reaction visible on the part of the two MATC representatives when this statement was made, but I'm sure they've had practice.
The MATC secession discussion focused on the need for uniform positions on the part of the school district and the village (both agreed but neither offered to abandon its position) with attorneys for both the village and the school district present and speaking to the boards. Since there is no haste required (the earliest date for a change in districts would be July 1, 2009 assuming the petition were filed at least ninety days prior to the end of 2008), both sides agreed to form a joint task force and to continue to work the issue.
Issues that need to be fleshed out include the negative impact to MATC as well as the positive impact to either MPTC or WCTC if Germantown were to move. The money we send to MATC is a small part of that budget, while the reduced amount that would flow to one of the others would represent a sizable increase to that district. Beyond this are all the substantive issues concerning educational opportunities in the other districts as contrasted with MATC, and which of the other districts would seem the best potential overall partner.
My take-away was this:
I don't think the TIF deal is necessarily a slam dunk, although a new project soon to commence in TIF district 4 carries much promise.
I continue to be all for the secession but am honestly skeptical as to the ultimate outcome given how everything appears stacked against us. This is a highly political battle. My estimate of the odds against our success would be in the range of 10-1, and that is probably being generous to our side. We're playing with the 'big dogs' now!
If there were any schisms between the two boards, they were well-controlled, almost to the point of being too saccharin.
