The Brookfield Scene

The School District of Elmbrook (SDE) has sharpened its pencils and reduced the impact of renovating two high schools ($99.3 million) will have on residents' property tax bills.

This comes after the school district compared the additional daily cost of the referendum as less than a cup of coffee.

The Referendum Impact Calculator on the school district’s website now states:

“A $335,000 home, the average value in Brookfield, would pay $342 a year if both questions pass, and $312 if only the $99.3 million question passes. However, that home would not see a $342 or $312 tax increase over what it paid for debt service last year because of the district's pre-funding and its structuring of the Dixon/Brookfield elementary school bonds.

A $335,000 home paid $188 for debt service last year, or 56 cents per $1,000 of equalized value.

If both referendum questions pass, that home would pay an extra $191, or a total of $379, for debt service next year. If just the $99.3 million question passes, that home would pay an extra $164, or $352 total for debt service.

For those who want to be able to do the math with their own home value, here is how the debt service tax rate would change.

Residents on their December property tax bill paid 56 cents per $1,000 of equalized value for Elmbrook's debt service.

If both referendum questions pass, that would rise to $1.13 per $1,000 of equalized value annually through the 2016-'17 school year and then decrease gradually to 95 cents per $1,000 in the 20th year.”

Can we trust the information SDE is providing?  Or will the real cost of passing the referendum be 50% more than the purported $99.3 million or 50% less. 

As the fourth SDE paragraph says, it’s “only the $99.3 million question.”

It seems the administrators are now emphasizing that remodeling will improve the safety and security of our high school students. That seems to suggest our students at East and Central are not currently safe and secure. Certainly some people must be concerned about the administration’s inability to avoid placing our children in dangerous or harmful settings.

 In case you wonder why a Town of Brookfield resident is concerned about the school system, I do live within the Elmbrook district.

 Comments from readers:

 “Stop by any Elmbrook school these days, and pick up your very own copies - 27 pages to be exact - of the new "Facilities Facts."  It seems the district felt the need to dedicate one entire page (excuse me, "fact sheet") for each perceived deficiency.  Evidently, the "Link" did not provide enough room to ‘inform the Elmbrook community on high school facilities topics.’"

 Note:  The fact sheets are also available at the districts website www.elmbrookschooldistrict.com.
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“I am encouraging people to take ‘unscheduled’ tours and if possible, to do it during the day.  That way they can just sign in and walk around the building and form their own conclusions, with out being on a ‘prepared’ or ‘"orchestrated’ tour, which seems to be a concern to many.  At the end of the day, people are going to make this decision based on the benefits they see or don't see, and the impact it has on their household.  They will assess these two areas and vote accordingly.”
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>“Elmbrook Schools are in competition with no one. That is all happy talk from the administrators of Elmbrook... Trying to justify their endless spending and ignoring the public at large is the goal of many School Boards.”

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 “All my children have come through the Elmbrook system. I have toured both schools and there is little wrong with them, just poor maintenance by Elmbrook on purpose. Take a look at the two new schools we have built; now how do all the stone arches make a classroom and teacher more competitive when the school board wants to cut the computer funding.”

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 “We as caring taxpayers are always concerned about education and municipal and county/state issues. Each of those entities say they take into consideration [concerns of] the public at large. But in reality they do what they want. The School Boards (not just Elmbrook) will do what they want and hide some costs…so they get to do what they want."

These are just some thoughts of Elmbrook's residents.  I'm sure there are more. 

Late last week, the Elmbrook School District provided its 16 page quarterly report, “Link.”  It should be in your mailboxes soon.

The first few pages talk about how well students are doing,  changes in grading and reporting, protecting kids online, school board candidates, property values, next year’s budget,  the district’s website and an expanded 4K program.  The rest (aside from the sports team photos) explains why voters should support the $100 million referendum.
 

Evidently without a competitive school system, the community would be less desirable and real estate values would fall.   Supporting statements from the “Link” are:

 …”A competitive school district and facilities that are attractive…help to control taxes by helping real estate property retain its values.“

 “Our challenge is to enhance the competitiveness of our school district and community.”

Furthermore, “Offering modern, safe, efficient buildings that maximize student learning has value” for all district residents, regardless of whether they have children in the school system.

The “Link” also provides a breakdown of where the nearly $100 million will be spent.  $15 million is allocated for “demolition, site work, engineering, architecture, exterior renovations, furniture, fixtures and equipment.”

Individuals outside the Elmbrook School District hold other perspectives about facilities contributing to academic success and staying competitive.   A resident wrote that “academic success is not just about the buildings; it's about the content and the teachers.” 

An administrator from another school system said “academic success is usually measured through (a) formal test scores (such as WKCE), (b) graduation rates and (c) graduates’ plans for further education.”  He added that [unfortunately] media reports can also define academic success.

Staying competitive is a school’s ability to run programs (classes) and students’ competency in AP (advanced placement) classes.

Be sure to read “The Link” when it arrives at your door.

On another note, the district is opening the doors to Brookfield East H.S. for walking and sociability starting February 5.  (Sorry, the layout of Brookfield Central is not suitable for a public walking program.)  It seems the administration wants more residents to see and experience the inferior conditions of an aging school.