Cornell School Board - Now is the time to weigh the cost vs. no school

How much is this going to cost me?

That’s the questions that’s been on taxpayer minds, when thinking about the capital maintenance referendum the Cornell School District is planning next spring. Numbers were released, Aug. 25, with estimated amounts shared by Baird Public Finance and PMA Securities, who are working with the district.

A new, smaller, more efficient high school building is needed – or Cornell won’t have a high school. If the referendum fails, the students will have to be class-shared with another school district, meaning no high school sports in Cornell, and no tech ed program.

As to what will happen to the building and almost new track facility, that remains a mystery. If all that comes to pass, it’s likely enrollment will drop so low in the district, that the elementary will also close, effecting the local economy and Cornell as a whole.

Although the numbers hinge on a multitude of factors, to break it down the simplest way possible, how much each school district resident would pay, if a $15 million referendum is passed, a property owner would see an increase of $200/per year, based on each $100,000 of assessed property.

For the full tax impact, there’s an automatic calculator on the district website.

“People want to know what it’s going to do to their taxes,” said school board treasurer Stephanie Seidlitz.

During the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of after-school director Elektra Zurakowski; and middle/high school cook Nicole Schwingle. They also approved the hire of after-school director/ special ed paraprofessional Kirsten Larson; and middle school head volleyball coach Aliyse Maier.

It was also reported that the school received $1,000, to the athletic program, from Loving Memory Pet Cremation.