Know Your Candidates Part 1

We think you should know a bit about your school board candidates.
Don't you think that's a good idea?
Of course some are already "out there"...but others are hard to find.
There's no substitute for simply talking with a candidate to see where they stand on particular issues.

But in order for you to strike up a conversation in the grocery store or while in line for your favorite latte.... you need to know what they look like...right?

So here are your candidates...

On the 2nd day of Christmas...

...Board President Tom Weber's name came out of Santa's hat.

Tom has been absolutely awesome as a board president.  Not taking anything away from him...but we really have had poor board presidents going back over 10 years.  Nevertheless, Tom has taking this board to a much higher plane.  And we know that he works diligently to make things even better.  He is a fair an impartial individual, and for that we are thankful.

So what do we have in Santa's bag?

First...we have a couple of fine avocados.  We hear word that Tom appreciates a fine avocado.  We're not sure if he likes them straight off the tree or whether he's a guacamole kinda guy.  So Santa tossed in a little light reading for him:  "When life hands you avocados...make guacamole!"

We also hear whispers that Steve Schroeder is an avocado fan.  Perhaps Tom will share.

As a stocking stuffer, Santa tossed in a copy of "How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less".  No disrespect to Tom; he'll be the first to tell you that he's a talker.  But communication is  a good thing.  Santa jut thinks this little giftie could help streamline board meetings even further.

Merry Christmas, Tom!
And a big SP-EYE thanks for all you have brought to the district.

2011: The Headline That Wasn't :(

Weber Grills Seabass!
If only....

Folks , we've had this one just waiting in the wings.  We wished upon many a star bright.  We know that rookie school board member Tom Weber has the financial wisdom.  We firmly believed that he has sniffed out the whereabouts of the copious socks of money hidden in the budget.  And frankly, we've grown weary of Jim "Seabass" McCourt's approach as Treasurer of the school district.

Therefore, we hoped against hope that we might see Mr. Weber go all flame-on and grill the Seabass on all his cockamamie explanations for the financial sleight of hand at foot.

Even though we never got to use it as a headline, we can still dream...can't we?

Lesson Time - Electors DO NOT Get the Final Say

In 2009, the electors of the Sun Prairie School District voted to reduce the levy requested by the school board by $2,000,000.  A couple of school board members (ahem...McCourt!) pushed the idea of ignoring the electors and going with the tax levy they originally proposed.  Ultimately, however, the board decided to heed the voice of the electors and reduce the levy.

This year, the "electors", despite a still crumbling economy, felt so generous as to give the school district MORE tax levy than requested by the board.  WTF?   Then the school district itself "reduced" the levy as part of the situation report.  Finally the school board voted to a approve a levy which was only about $9,000 higher than it originally proposed-- a far cry for the $267,000 additional windfall voted by "the electors"

Can the board "go against" the electors?
Could the board have "gone against" the electors?  Absolutely.  The statutes say so. But (and it's a rather large one), had a subsequent legal challenge been filed, the district would have been required to SHOW that they needed the entire proposed tax levy to "operate and maintain" the schools.

We all know how the story turned out.  Not only was the $2M most definitely fluff....but the district ended up with a SURPLUS of $1.3M!  Instead of using $800K of fund balance to balance the books, they actual DEPOSITED $500K additional into the fund.  Imagine that. Had the electors not cut the levy, would we have had a $3.3M  surplus?  Or would the district have found some boondoggles to finance?  Clearly the budget presented 2 years ago was WAY more than that necessary to "operate and maintain" schools.

What happened in 2009 was a shot across the school district's bow.  Prior to October 2009, residents of the district were asleep at the switch.  The school district spent like money grew on trees.  And the beauty of it was that the value of property in the district grew at such a phenomenal rate, that even with exorbitant spending and huge tax levies, the mill rate stayed low.  As long as property taxes didn't rise too dramatically, no one cared.

But that all changed late with the economic recession of 2008-09, from which we still haven't surfaced.  Now money is tight.  Unemployment rates have skyrocketed.  People in THIS city are being forced from their homes.  And that's what caused a huge crowd to suddenly appear at the annual meeting where historically there were 30 or fewer attendees, the vast majority of whom were connected to the district.

This year, a throng of nearly 200 folks attended the electors meeting.  But they had something completely different in store.  They wanted to use the annual meeting to increase the budget and the tax levy.  And they did...voting by an overwhelming majority...reports are there were less than 10 votes against....to increase the proposed tax levy by $267,000 to fund 6 initiatives which the board had repeatedly rejected to fund with new tax dollars.

So...do the electors set the tax levy? Or not?
The answer lies in chapter 120 of the statutes, along with Attorney General (AG) opinion for clarification.  Why is AG opinion required?  Because in s. 120.10(8) of the statute, it says...

120.10  Powers of annual meeting. The annual meeting of a common or union high school district may:(8) Tax for operation. Vote a tax for the operation of the schools of the school district.

Meanwhile, ... in s. 120.12(3) of the statute, it says...

120.12  School board duties. The school board of a common or union high school district shall: (3) Tax for operation and maintenance. (a) On or before November 1, determine the amount necessary to be raised to operate and maintain the schools of the school district and public library facilities operated by the school district under s. 43.52, if the annual meeting has not voted a tax sufficient for such purposes for the school year.
 (c) If on or before November 1 the school board determines that the annual meeting has voted a tax greater than that needed to operate the schools of the school district for the school year, the school board may lower the tax voted by the annual meeting. 

Now sprinkle in a dash of AG opinion:

Under sub. (3), the school board of common or union high school district has ultimate authority to determine the tax levy for operation and maintenance of the schools in the district. 79 Atty. Gen

The AG is perfectly clear, the power to set the tax levy rests with the school board.  The Annual Electors meeting certainly serves as an advisory referendum.  The problem with the elector's meeting is exactly what happened this year: it's too easy to flood the meeting with a certain special interest group.  This year, the district caught the electors napping and made its push to support new initiatives to which the school board had repeatedly said: not with new tax dollars.

The key 
The key to all this lies in the statute: "a tax necessary to operate [and maintain] the schools".  Look it up in any dictionary....the definition of "initiative" is "new" or "starting".  That means that the magic "6 initiatives" were not and are not required to "operate" or "maintain" the schools.  A good thing? Undoubtedly.  Improve the schools? Perhaps.  But "good" and "improve" are not equivalent to "operate and maintain".

And that is why setting a tax levy ABOVE what was initially proposed by the school board was just plain wrong.  And the school board knows that.  That's why they ultimately chose to do what they did: set the levy at 3.5% and then authorize the district to implement the 6 initiatives within that budget.  Tom Weber was spot on...

 "...the board has a judiciary and legal responsibility relative to the tax levy, and if the electors vote for a tax levy too small or too large to maintain and operate the school district, the board is legally obligated to adjust the levy so it is in line. "
----School Board member Tom Weber, 10-24-11

The bottom line
The bottom line is that the Annual Meeting is really designed to be a final opportunity for the electors to advocate their wishes before the school board.  At the end of the day, however, it all rests on the budget prepared--and approved--by the school board BEFORE the annual meeting.  The annual meeting is NOT designed to be the forum for a Hail Mary to insert budget initiatives.  Neither is it designed to be a means for ANY special interest group to "load up" the ballot box.  Otherwise...why bother to have ANY public discussion on the budget before the annual meeting??  When one can just wait till the annual meeting and then ambush the board and the district residents with ulterior motives.

The school board is elected for a reason...and that is to monitor the budget setting process with one eye out for the children and the other on the taxpaying electorate.  If this means we go back to having 30 people at the annual meeting, then so be it.  In fact...if the school district and board have done their jobs well, then arguably there should be no need to attend the meeting because the budget should be transparent, sensible, and fiscally responsible.

Weber Grabs Top Vote Total

In a shades of 2010 result, when newcomer John Welke smoked the other incumbents, Tom Weber grabbed the most votes in the spring school board election.  Kinda sounds like this city wants change on its school board.

Over 5000 votes for the leader? In 2006, Jim Gibbs set a school board election record with over 3,800 votes. Weber shattered that. Hmmm. It was almost like there was something dragging people to the polls in droves. Wonder what that could be? Just can't quite put a finger on it....

Weber - 5,277
Camber Davidson - 4,870
Stackhouse - 3,532


Flying saucers could land
And it wouldn't make much difference to our man
He could walk onboard and thank the lord
And leave this damn town in seconds flat
Check his bags and never come back
Oh, our love is
Like a fuse that's burned out

---B-52's "Ain't It a Shame"

Election Day - Time For More Change

The school board is slowly, but surely, becoming more aligned with what we the people expect in our representation. John Welke was a great addition last year...but he needs more support on the board. Welke needs someone who shares his (our) fiscal concerns and someone who won't play for the crowd--or a specific athletic group.


We think Tom Weber is that guy.


While the STAR (read: Chris Mertes) didn't care for Jill Camber Davidson's taking on advertising in our schools, we think that's exactly why she deserves another term. Is it really worth a 7-year exclusive contact and z little more than $10K a year from a certain soft drink manufacturer to subliminally advertise its wares to our kids? We don't think so. The board could find that money and a whole lot more if they would de-pants Phil Frei and take back OurDough.



While we appreciate Mr Stackhouse's efforts over the past 6 years, it's time for the face of our school board to change a little more. We don't quite see the steady hand that editor Mertes seems to see.
So on Tuesday, April 5, we say vote early and vote often.
But cast your votes for the two people that will best represent the Sun Prairie School District.
Vote for Tom Weber and Jill Camber Davidson

Sun Prairie School Board -- We find Jill Camber Davidson’s unwillingness to entertain advertising in school to be unrealistic, particularly with the current economy and potential future revenue cuts for schools.

Challenger Tom Weber’s approach relating to budgeting might be worth a look.
At the same time, we believe incumbent Dave Stackhouse should be returned to office. Despite his pursuit of upgrading Ashley Field, Stackhouse has proven to be a steady hand on the board.
Vote Stackhouse and either Camber Davidson or challenger Tom Weber April 5.
---Sun Prairie STAR 3-24-11

A Letter from School Board Candidate Tom Weber

Tom Weber asked us to print the following letter to the community.  For the record, we're open to similar offerings from the other board candidates.

Dear Friend,

Tom Weber

   

I would like to ask for your support in the upcoming Sun Prairie School Board election.  I am Tom Weber and the following is a little bit about me and why I am running for School Board.  I would appreciate your support, and your vote on Tuesday, April 5th.

   

School districts across the state are facing some very challenging times over the next several years and the Sun Prairie Area School District is no different.  I firmly believe, however, that every challenge is an opportunity to make ourselves better.  It takes creativity, hard work and a sense of unity to be successful and I know that my fresh energy, creative problem solving and ability to listen to and understand people's concerns can help us get there.

   

I have learned in both my personal and professional life the importance of fiscal responsibility.  In life there are tough choices we need to make but they need to be made based on priorities.  These priorities help us decide between needs vs. wants; ensure there is value in what we spend our money on; and help guarantee a return on our investment.  The children that our teachers are educating now are going to grow up to be the doctors and nurses that take care of us, the politicians that govern us, the inventors of new technologies and medicines, the police and firemen that keep us safe, and the people that entertain us.  We owe it not only to them, but ourselves to invest wisely in our future.

  

In my professional life I have been successful working as an engineer to find realistic solutions that increase efficiencies; make better use of space, people and resources; provide for long term growth; and are cost justifiable.  When developing project budgets I am required to provide strong returns on investment and get higher results for less cost.  Our schools are no different.  I know our Sun Prairie School District can benefit from my experience.

  

I have a vested interest in the Sun Prairie area and our schools.  I have two children in our public school system (3rd & 6th grade), I have lived and worked in Sun Prairie for the past 19 years and I started and grew a business in Sun Prairie.  I am the Cub Master for Cub Scout Pack 443 at Royal Oaks School and I am active with the parent teacher organization there as well.  I am also currently serving as a Citizen Representative on the Finance Committee of the Sun Prairie Area School District.

    

My priorities for the school district focus around the following:

• Spending resources on programs that directly affect our children and their eduction.
• Maintaining the highest quality and most professional teaching staff possible.
• Providing our teachers with the resources and supplies needed to do their job to the highest degree.
• Assure safe, clean and healthy learning environments for our students, teachers and staff.
• Maintain a balanced budget and pay for new initiatives primarily through reductions in other areas of the budget.

Please let me know what you think, or what your concerns are.  My contact information is listed below.  And thank you for supporting me on April 5th.

   

   

PS - If you would like brochures or yard signs from me, please respond to this email or give me a call.

   

Tom Weber

cell: 608-235-0963

email: weber.thomasp@gmail.com

Who IS Tom Weber?

We're doing things a bit differently this year.  We have historically prepared questions for candidates.  But what use is it when only the challengers (and the occasional intrepid incumbent) respond?  

We have 2 seats available, with 2 incumbents, and the newcomer (relatively speaking) Tom Weber.  We know what we have in our incumbents.  Jill Camber-Davidson has stepped out of her shell and shown us what a force she can be.  David Stackhouse, a 2-term board member, is who we thought he was.

So we figured what you NEED to know, is a little bit more about Tom Weber.

In his own words, Tom Weber is...

• Lifelong Wisconsin resident
• Sun Prairie resident for over 16 yrs
• Business owner in Sun Prairie for 16 years
• Married (19 yrs) to Heidi
• Two children in Sun Prairie schools
       - Madeline - 6th grade
       - Austin - 3rd grade
• University of Wisconsin - Stout
       - BS in Industrial Technology
       - BS in Business Administration
• Current School Board Finance Committee Member
• Committee Chair - Royal Oaks School Community Organization
• Cubmaster Pack 443
• Eagle Scout

WHY Tom Weber?
Very challenging times lie ahead for school districts in Wisconsin. Every challenge, however, is an opportunity to do something positive. I am extremely enthusiastic and ready, willing and able to sit at the table with teachers, staff, administration and the community at large to determine how we get through the next few years in a positive manner and achieve an unsurpassed culture of teaching and learning in Sun Prairie Area Schools. I know that together we can rise above these challenges as a premier school district in our state.

I want to establish a budget that is based on community driven priorities. Tough economic times in our community and looming budget cuts to school district funding require us to stay extremely focused on our priorities.  Priorities will help drive the budget to a point of fiscal responsibility and reasonable taxes. Without priorities the process collapses, costs rise and ultimately taxes go up. We all prioritize our budgets at home and there is no reason we shouldn't do the same in our school district.

FOCUS
Our focus needs to stay clearly on community driven priorities. Here are Tom's top priorities:
o Spend resources on programs that directly affect our children and their education.
o  Maintain the highest quality and most professional teaching staff possible. Our children learn from teachers.
o  Provide our teachers with the resources and supplies needed to do their job to the highest degree.
o Assure safe, clean and healthy learning environments for our students, teachers and staff.
o Maintain a balanced budget and pay for new initiatives only through reductions in other areas of the budget.

Here's What Matters to Tom Weber
Common sense solutions. Let's keep it simple and think out-of-the-box.
Fiscal responsibility. We need to respect people's money and invest it wisely in our school system.
Clear justification to the public on any budget increases.
Embrace the challenges in front of us and resolve to settle for only positive outcomes.
Listen carefully to people; Research, evaluate and only then make a decision.

"I am not a politician. I am here for one reason -
 A passion for making Sun Prairie Area Schools all they can be."    
          -- Tom Weber

That's Why They Call it a BUDGET, Jim!

At this past Monday's meeting of the school board's Financed Committee, the topic was "Initial Budget Parameters".  One of the key budget parameters is "mill rate increase".

" There's no way an increase to tax levy less than 4.5 percent would be able to support the budget." 

---School Board member Jim McCourt (as reported by the STAR)

Unfortunately, it was two of the three school board candidates (new-comer Tom Weber and incumbent Jill Camber-Davidson) that wanted to talk about setting a target ceiling on any mill rate increase.

“I’d like to throw out that we put a number out there.... It’s not that it can’t be changed, but I think it’s a starting point for the budgets”

--- (school board candidate) Tom Weber

Finance Committee chair Jim "SeaBass" McCourt was hesitant (to put it mildly) to set any limit.  In fact, the only way he was interested in setting any "parameter" on an acceptable mill rate increase was as a very loose "limit".

On the parameter affecting the local levy and mill rate, the committee approved on a 3-2 vote (Seabass, Diedrich, Rayford) putting a 4.5 percent increase as a current target to aim for while the budget process continues. Committee members Weber and Jill Camber Davidson voted against it because they thought the target percentage should have been lowered to 3 percent. 
 ----Sun Prairie STAR

Caren Diedrich added her typical zany antics to the meeting.  When it came time to vote on the issue of setting a 4.5% "soft target" for any mill rate increase, Diedrich commented, 

"Well, I'd like it to be less [than 4.5%] ...but I'm voting yes".

         -----Caren Diedrich (who could have voted no and forced a smaller target levy increase)

According to the current budget projections and forecast model, the proposed increase to the tax levy and mill rate would be 5.1 percent. And that is not factoring in any major hit to school funding that might come from the Governor.

Memo to Jim McCourt:
budget - a summary of intended expenditures along with proposals for how to meet them.

Jimbo...It's called a budget because you figure out what you can afford.  THEN you figure out how you plan to spend the money available.  WE --the people--- a at least 50% of your budget, Jim.  And you need to take the ability of the people to pay your taxes into account.  We all don't live in the lap of luxury.  We all can't afford to dine on sea bass.

Earth to McCourt!  If there's "no way" to support a mill rate less than 4.5%, then that means you need to get the big boy scissors out and start cutting that budget!

For the STAR's typical "    " perception of what went down:

Stackhouse is in; We Got Us a Race!

Tom Weber, who has been a great addition as  current Citizen Representative to the School Board's Finance Committee, is a worthy candidate for school board.  Early indications suggest this is a race between Weber and Stackhouse for the 2nd seat.  


Many feel that Jill Camber-Davidson has come on strong of late as a board member who will take a stand against fiscal irresponsibility.  Ms. Camber-Davidson has also been leading the charge against advertising in our schools.  We believe her tenacity and attention to detail merit a 2nd term.


Tom Weber is very well spoken and has a strong financial background.  Incumbent David Stackhouse has provided some spark in the last year as he has rebelled against a board majority that gave him no love during officer elections.  During a number of officer votes, only a single vote was cast for Stackhouse for each board officer slot.  Hmmm...whose was it?  Stackhouse's  checkered history during his last board term has seen his stature reduced from board president to simply a board member at large.   Will the community vote for the refreshing air of change that Mr. Weber offers?  In the past, Stackhouse relied on strong support form the youth football community.  Is that support still there? Stay tuned.

Both incumbents Dave Stackhouse and Jill Camber Davidson will be joined by a third candidate, Tom Weber of Sun Prairie, in their campaign for the Sun Prairie School Board. Seats on the board are elected at-large within the Sun Prairie Area School District.

Candidates had until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4 to submit their nomination papers for elected offices. The general election will take place on Tuesday, April 5.

http://www.sunprairiestar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=6629