What is your ‘why’?
Derek Weyer
Loyal
Dear editor, On Nov. 8, 2022, Loyal School District residents voted against a five-year operational referendum. The non-reccurring referendum was for the purpose of funding school operations. It was not a referendum to incur debt to complete facility projects that were not already budgeted for.
I am penning this letter hoping to understand the “why” of a voter who voted “no” on Nov. 8. Is your concern, your property values increasing? You’re right, your taxes will increase. With that increase comes an operating school, children learning and teachers teaching in their own community. As our community experiences higher costs in everyday living, it is difficult to be asked to contribute more. However, the long-term benefits of generational prosperity can far outweigh the burdens of today.
Were you confused about the purpose of the referendum? Did you think it was similar or the same to this past spring’s expansion project? This referendum was separate from the expansion referendum in the spring. Facility upgrades were part of this referendum, but all budgeted for and necessary to operate.
The community of Loyal is the true definition of loyal. Our community joins together when people are in need. I am hoping the same would be true when it comes to the school district needing our help – despite when you attended, if you attended, if you had children attend or if you will have children attend the school district. In 2017, I was fortunate enough to move my family back to my hometown of Loyal, a hometown I am extremely proud of. In the past five years my hometown has become my family’s hometown. I want my three children to receive a high-quality education in a rural school district.
What that district looks like in the coming years is yet to be determined, but what the district cannot be is bare minimum, underfunded and a shell of its potential. Since November 2018, 155 school districts have passed non-recurring operational referendums in the state of Wisconsin. In that same time 27 failed. Why is this type of referendum passing at a nearly 6:1 margin statewide, but failing in our community?
The district residents will be asked again in April to support another operational referendum. If you voted “no” on Nov. 8, please help the district understand why. Reach out to school board members. Attend public information meetings. Discuss your concerns with administrative staff. Please do whatever necessary to get your concerns answered so an informed decision can be made. Let’s work together as a community, not so this school district can stay operational, but so this school district can thrive. God bless.
