Despite a clear message from voters on election day, school supporters are considering a second referendum next year.

Wednesday, November 21, 2001

Despite a clear message from voters on election day, school supporters are considering a second referendum next year.

And this time, the effort is coming from the community.

&uot;A lot of people are frustrated that the referendum didn’t pass,&uot; said band booster Phil Bartusek. &uot;There’s a lot of buzz in the community to give it another try.&uot;

Superintendent David Prescott said his office has been flooded with calls from parents about the upcoming cuts, wondering what they can do to protect programs and services.

&uot;I’m hearing from people that I haven’t talked to before – people that want to know what went wrong,&uot; he said.

But the school board will proceed with budget cuts to balance their budget next year. A list of the cuts will be released Dec. 21.

&uot;Right now, we’re moving ahead based on what the voters said Nov. 6,&uot; Prescott said. &uot;As far as another referendum, the board will have to see a serious demonstration of support to even consider it.&uot;

Rep. Dan Dorman, a member of the Kids II Committee that tried to gather support for the first referendum, said a second vote would require a petition with the signatures of at least 15 percent of eligible voters – about 2,000. A successful petition would compel the school board to hold a second vote next November.

&uot;At this point, I wouldn’t say this movement is really organized yet. I think we’re working on finding out the details about this petition process,&uot; Dorman said. &uot;But there’s definitely a groundswell of support out there for another vote.&uot;

Exploring the reasons behind the no votes will be a top priority of any movement for a second referendum, Dorman said.

&uot;I think we ought to talk to people who are against it and find out what their reasons were,&uot; he said. &uot;I’ve talked to many people who seemed to be willing to change their minds if we just hear them out and explain a few things.&uot;

Bartusek, who plans to be involved in the petition process, said a second referendum would have a much better chance at passing if community members, not the school board, is pushing for it.

&uot;It has to come from us – parents and community members. That’s the only way,&uot; he said.

Once the cuts are announced, Bartusek and Dorman think it will be much easier to find school supporters. Even people who voted no two weeks ago may change their minds when the see the full impact of the failed referendum.

&uot;In the past, the cuts have been painless and invisible. That’s not the case this time around,&uot; he said.

Bartusek said the busing cuts currently under consideration by the board are already generating a lot of reaction.

&uot;Some families will have to pay up to $25 a month to bus their kids. That will take a chunk of their tax savings,&uot; he said. &uot;If they would have just voted the referendum through, they could have saved money in the long run.&uot;