PdC Schools referendum roundtable set

The Prairie du Chien Area Chamber of Commerce’s Advocacy Committee will host a roundtable discussion on the upcoming Prairie du Chien Area School District referendum on Thursday, March 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers of city hall.

School Board President Christine Panka and Superintendent Drew Johnson will be joined by several of the school district’s architectural, design and financial consultants in a review of the April 5 referendum questions. City Administrator Aaron Kramer, a member of the advocacy committee, will serve as moderator. The event will be televised live on local cable access channel 6.

The school district will be asking voters to approve both an operating and a capital question. The first ballot measure (operating question) would ask voters to increase the district’s revenue limit to address a projected $629,000 budget deficit and recent cuts in state aid. The increase would raise an additional $890,000 for the district next school year, plus an additional $90,000 per year for the following five years. The second ballot measure (capital question) would ask voters to approve an $18.9 million bond referendum to pay for facility upgrades at the high school, intermediate and elementary schools.

Individuals who have questions about the referendum and would like to have them asked as part of the discussion should forward them to the Chamber of Commerce, by calling 326-8555, ext. 12 or emailing rmpdccoc@mhtc.net.