NORTHLAND PINES SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM

On 1/28/2013 Dr. Richie, District Administrator for Northland Pines School District, conducted an open meeting asking voters to approve a $2.7 million (operating funds) referendum per year for three years, which would raise real estate taxes by $82 for each $100,000 of assessed valuation. 

The second referendum asks for a one-year charge of $7 for each $100,000 of assessed valuation for a one-time school retrofit. 

Northland Pines School District has an informational website devoted to the referendum: 

http://www.npsd.k12.wi.us/referendum/

Your real estate taxes decreased 14-18% for 2013.  Approval of these referendums will increase your real estate taxes back up about 10%.

Since Act 10 was enacted in 2011, NPSD has significantly reduced operating costs saving taxpayers over $1.3 million (pension payments from employees and increased health care contributions and plan changes).   http://www.reforms.wi.gov/county_resource_detail.asp?locid=185&cocatid=6&countyid=646 -

NPSD salaries can be viewed at JS Online.  Salary info for 135 employees was displayed.  http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/dataondemand/33534649.html

In checking the website I Verify the Recall, petitions were signed to recall Gov. Walker by NPSD employees:  one principal, 47 teachers, two others (50 out of 135 NPSD salaried employees) - http://iverifytherecall.com/

Of those employees, pay started at $12,545 for a part-timer (fringe of $1,687 - 13% of salary) to the high teacher pay of $64,646.   Teacher fringe benefits ranged from up to $31,288 (48%).    One part-timer salary was $16,725 with fringe benefits of $14,566 (87%).

113 teacher salaries ranged from $21,322 to $64,646.  Teacher fringe benefits ranged from $7.468 to $30,294.  Depending on teacher salary, benefits ranged from 15% to 72%.

The following 21 employees are in a higher pay grade than the 113 teachers in NPSD:  3 of the 4 guidance counselors, 1 business manager, 4 principals, 1 district administrator, 1 director of special education

Remaining employees in the district include:  2 library media specialists, 3 speech / language pathologists, 1 psychologist, 2 school occupational therapists, 2 nurses, 1 program coordinator.

A number of employees were part time; some worked at more than one school.

Teachers choose to work in a demanding career with very generous personal benefits not matched in the private sector and paid for by taxpayers.

Dr. Richie stated that hard choices must be made if the operating costs referendum does not pass.  Through no fault of their own, millions of people around America have already had hard economic choices forced upon them. 

Northwoods Patriots - Standing up for Faith, Family, Country - northwoodspatriotscomm@gmail.com