GREENFIELD — The Greenfield school board approved two referendum questions at its August 10 meeting. The questions ask voters to support funding beyond the district's state-imposed revenue limit.
The first question asks voters to extend a $5 million-per-year referendum for another four years to cover day-to-day operational expenses. According to a district press release, the extension is not projected to increase property taxes.
The second question is a $35 million capital referendum. The district estimates the capital referendum would raise property taxes by about $9 per year for every $100,000 of fair market value.
Greenfield School District alumna and parent Leah Macans said she already knows how she will vote.
"I think it is very important that everyone votes yes for these referendums," Macans said.
Fellow alumna and parent Jennifer Ortega agreed.
"If we do not pass the capital referendum, it will have significant impacts to our students negatively," Ortega said.
Macans said the referendums are about more than just facilities.
"We want to have a fantastic school, a fantastic programming; we want to provide our kids with the best education and the facilities," Macans said.
The district has an award-winning music education program with growing demand. If the capital referendum is approved, the music department at Greenfield Middle School is expected to get improvements like instrument lockers and open-concept practice rooms for better student supervision. HVAC, ventilation, roofing and other facilities would also be upgraded. In the middle school gym, the scoreboard and bleachers would be replaced, and new basketball hoops that can be lifted would make the space more multi-functional.
Kelly Krueger has lived in Greenfield for more than a decade, but does not have kids in Greenfield schools. She was initially unsure about the referendum.
"When I saw it a few days ago, I thought here we go again," Krueger said. "Paying higher taxes is always something nobody wants to do."
But after reviewing the details, Krueger said, at this point, she supports the referendum.
"Greenfield seems to be relatively responsible with how they spend our tax dollars," Krueger said. "If we invest in our young folks, I think that it benefits everyone."
Still, Krueger expressed her worries that referendums are not a long-term solution amid rising costs of living.
"If they keep asking for more and more, at some point the taxpayers aren't going to have any left," Krueger said. "The state needs to step up."
Superintendent Lisa Elliott said over the phone that if the referendums do not pass, some "difficult decisions" would have to be made.
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