Heated discussion at school board meeting

CLINTONVILLE – A heated discussion between Clintonville Board of Education President Glen Drew Lundt and Clintonville Superintendent Troy Kuhn erupted at the Feb. 24 Clintonville Board of Education meeting while discussing advertising and how to present information to the district’s residents regarding the upcoming vote on an operational referendum for the district.
During the discussion, Lundt asked if the district has a “proposition” for a balanced budget and details as to what the referendum would cover and how much those items would cost.
Kuhn said the district’s budget has a $1.2 million deficit. He added that the district is currently putting funds in Fund 46 (Capital Improvements and Maintenance Fund) and Fund 73 (Retirement Fund).
“That’s what brings our current budget negative up to $1.5, $1.6 (million), so right off the bat, when you say $1.95 (million operational referendum) we really only have $295,000 to $350,000 extra. That’s it,” Kuhn said.
He added that the key part to the referendum being approved would allow for the district to continue to offer key services. Additional funds from the referendum would be used to provide more support for “struggling learners.”

“That would including hiring two or three (new) positions, whatever the budget could actually afford to specifically support struggling learners,” Kuhn said.
Lundt asked when that information was going to be put into writing.
“It is in a roundabout way,” Kuhn said.
Lundt said he wanted the information in writing with financial numbers, to create accountability. He also wanted to know how much state aid would increase for the district if the referendum were approved by district residents.
“Those are the numbers that have to be in here, otherwise, to be honest with you, I’m losing faith with this whole process,” Lundt said. “And I’m going to be a ‘no’ come April 7 if I don’t get what I’ve been asking for, for the last, basically four years. And I know we’ve had this discussion, and I know you don’t like it.”
Kuhn said he disagreed with what Lundt said. He said it is difficult to provide financial numbers for everything because the district does not know what will happen with school funding from the state when a new governor is elected. The district also doesn’t know if any of its equipment will need to be replaced over the next few years.
“If you want to put numbers with a five-year plan, you are literally tying your hands,” Kuhn said.
Lundt said even if numbers are provided, the district could still change the plan in the future.
“I don’t understand why I have to keep asking for the same information,” Lundt said.
Kuhn responded, “I will not be the scapegoat for a failed referendum. If you want me to bring numbers. If you want me to bring my cuts, I will not do that. This group must take responsibility for fixing the district, not me.”
A sheet with possible budget cuts if a referendum were not to be approved was then given to Lundt by Kuhn.
“You’ve been handed that sheet three times in the past, those are your numbers,” Kuhn said.
Lundt again stated he did not know how much the district’s state aid would increase if a referendum were approved.
Jessica Holtz from CESA 8 said that number is unknown because it depends on the district’s expenses from the previous year.
“If we go out there and start rattling off numbers, 99% chance you are going to be wrong because your numbers are going to vary, based on the thousand variables every year,” Kuhn said. “We should not do that.”
Even though the numbers could change, Lundt said the district should share budget projections with the public.
“You don’t get school finance, you just don’t understand it,” Board Vice President Kris Strauman told Lundt.
Board member Christopher Hoffmann asked if the district could share its five-year maintenance list with the public.
“What I will not do, is I will not publicly sit in a room and say, ‘Troy’s recommends are this,’ until we are at that point because all its going to do is cause mass panic,” Kuhn said. “Please don’t make me do that, because I won’t.”
It was decided to place a district needs list on the district’s website for district residents to view.