This Just In ...

Franklin's three school referenda...fiscal irresponsibility?

Posted by Kevin Fischer on Aug. 27, 2012

On November 6, 2012, 18 school districts in Wisconsin will have referendum questions on the ballot. Other than Middleton’s referenda totaling close to $61 million, no district is asking taxpayers for more than Franklin with three, count ‘em THREE property tax increase questions. Franklin has split up its funding requests into three separate “Please increase my property taxes” questions.

In Wisconsin, a binding referendum is required for certain school district bonding measures like the ones Franklin is requesting voter approval.

Franklin mommy who has a daughter who plays the clarinet or Franklin daddy who has a son who drives to school and fights to find parking everyday can’t see beyond their proboscis and simply want brand new sparkling facilities and they want them now and they want everyone else to pay for them.

I bet very few of the “GIMME” crowd are even considering the potential fiscal ramifications. Not very sexy, but a YES vote on any or all questions this November could prove quite risky.

CNBC reports local units of government, like school districts, have enough problems paying their pension obligations. What about the real possibility of paying double-digit interest rates on bonds?

Has anyone thought about this in Franklin? Other than a handful of school board members, my guess is no.

I don’t know all the details about Franklin’s Santa Claus wish list. I’m leery enough that I’ll gladly vote NO once, twice, three times.