New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government

This posting is really disingenuous - it infers that the school board was knowingly responsible for the lower levy when in fact they were not.  Don't take my word for it, read about it here:  www.newberlinnow.com/watch

The board got lucky that we received three million in state aid we weren't expecting.

However to keep our standards up to par and to keep our facilities intact, we are going to face tax increases.  We have to be realistic and if the board has to raise the levy, then that is how it has to be.  Look at the discrepancy now between our high schools. That needs to be addressed or we need to go with one high school at New Berlin West

I think I recall  where the city of New Berlin increased their tax

rate when Governor Doyle allowed the levy to be increased. I am

happy to see the school board lowering their proposed tax increase

to 1% rather than sticking it to the tax payers.

The Board got an unexpected $3 million dollar windfall from the state.  They could have simply spent it. Instead they gave it back to the taxpayers. What's wrong with that ?  

To those of you who complained about this - please use your real name.  

The original increase requested by the Board was smaller than the additional $3 million in state funding.  That being said, the Board could have actually REDUCED the tax levy and had enough money to meet the original request.

This is on top of the recent statements from Dr. Kreutzer that there will be additional increases necessary, even after the one time facility repair costs in this budget.

There should be no congratulations offered now, just increased Board scrutiny as the Administration pressures for future increases even with the additional aid.

Not a complaint on my end, just indicating that without the windfall the levy would have gone up for sure.  Also, to keep our schools up to par and keep New Berlin an elite city we are going to face tax increases in the future.  The hope is that spending priorities are kept in check and the areas that need the money get it.

Attention Joeblow

I am not allowing anonymous commentators to make unfounded accusations against anyone or me, under a shroud of secrecy to avoid accountability

Therefore I will not publish your second comment.

Please use your real name so we can publish it next time.

If you were at the meeting and it appears that you were, why did you not ask questions or at least have the political courage to vote against the proposals. You will recollect the approval was unanimous.

My blog congratulates the School Board for doing the right thing for the taxpayers and for the children.

I believe the Board's fiscally responsible policies since 2003 have helped bring about the State aid figures. Had the Board been overspending for the past 5 years like many neighboring communities, I doubt that the State would be be sending us more money.

That is not political spin it is just common sense.

Ralph Heun

To The Nice Crowd:

Please don't associate increased spending with a higher quality of education.  Just look at Milwaukee Public Schools for an example of how increased spending is not the sole issue.

Instead of caving into increased spending solutions, we should review all ways of bettering the quality of education.  Reallocating resources to new technology is a prime example of where we can improve but spend the same or less.

I just think that sometimes we get so focused on cut, cut, cut that inevitably our school system suffers.  I am glad to see this year that the levy didn't go up, but inevitably if I have to pay a bit more to maintain the high standards for our district then I am for it.

I completely understand and appreciate the efforts of the NBCRG, however let's be completely honest.  I believe the vast majority of their membership have no children that are in the school district and it hasn't been that way for many years.  And let's face it when their children were in school there were a lot more opportunities for their kids.

I apologize for the rant, but all I am saying is that at some point increases will be inevitable.