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    Almond-Bancroft Operational Referendum
     
    You Have the Information – Now It’s Time to Vote
    By Superintendent Rich Hanson
     
    For the last two months, we have been working diligently to provide accurate, understandable information about the operating referendum vote on Tuesday, April 3.
     
    We have had the opportunity to visit with many residents throughout the Almond-Bancroft School District.  These conversations have confirmed that all residents - young, old, lifelong and newcomers - value education and understand the important role that it plays in our future. 
     
    We hope every voter carefully considers their decision when they go to the voting booth.  The results of this vote will significantly determine the path of our school district for the foreseeable future.
     
    Since this is our final opportunity to write to you prior to April 3, I would like to review the major reasons for the referendum.
     
    The $525,000 annual recurring operational funds sought in the April 3 referendum address four major needs in the Almond-Bancroft School District while calling for no increase in the school tax rate.
     
    Those areas of need are:
    • Curriculum and instruction
    • Technology
    • Teacher retainment and recruitment
    • Facility and equipment maintenance.
     
    We also need to address rebuilding our Fund Balance that is used to pay expenses while waiting for tax revenue and state and federal aid. It is currently at only about $673,000 and should be closer to $1,500,000 for a district our size.
     
    Since we are retiring our 1998 building addition and the 2013 technology referendum at the end of the 2017-18 school year, we can fund the $525,000 with no school tax rate increase.
     
    Be sure to cast your vote next Tuesday, April 3.
     
    If you would like more information about the upcoming vote on Tuesday, April 3, go to our website or Facebook page.
     
    You may also contact Rich Hanson, District Administrator at 715-366-2941 ex. 418 or at rhanson@abschools.k12.wi.us, or one of our School Board Referendum Information Committee members, Bonnie Warzynski, (bwarzynski@abschools.k12.wi.us), Debbie Bradley (dbradley@abschools.k12.wi.us), or Kim Weiss (kweiss@abschools.k12.wi.us).