Note: Jim Lemmer is Chair of FOCUS (For Our Children United We Stand), an organization that advocated passage of the November 6, 2001 referendum questions put forward by the Oshkosh Area School District. Commentary recently sent Mr. Lemmer 4 questions, which are found below along with his responses. We thank Mr. Lemmer for taking the time out of his busy schedule to respond.
Commentary Question #1. Why do you think the referendum questions failed to gain the support of a majority of Oshkosh voters?
Lemmer Response: I believe the primary factor in voters minds is the failing economy and the large tax increase that was announced during the campaign to pay for the new jail, etc. A second factor in my view is the split school board. It is seen as a lack of commitment to the plan by those who should know the most about it. That is unfortunate.
Commentary Question #2. In hindsight, do you believe that FOCUS or the school district administration could have done anything differently that would have helped gain passage of the referendum?
Lemmer Response: In retrospect, separating the questions may have garnered one more favorable vote by the school board. With Sunset School as a separate question, we may have gotten that portion through. I think voters in general saw that as a need. The economy still may have caused it to fail. The margin of defeat was so significant, it is hard to predict if the Sunset issue will pass in a Spring election by itself. I don't think FOCUS would have changed anything in terms of campaign strategy.
Commentary Question #3. In your judgement, how big of a setback is the failure of the referendum going to be to the district?
Lemmer Response: The failure of the referendum will require some innovative work to find places for the current programs. Dr. Heilmann has stated that he wants to keep the kindergarten students at their home schools. To do this may require transporting fifth grade students to other elementary schools or as some have suggested to incorporate fifth grade into the middle schools. I personally think the first alternative is better, considering that sixth grade is already a tough transition to middle school for students. One thought in support of this might be to open up an "honors level" fifth grade in the middle school that requires a certain score on the 4th grade state test. Being prepared scholastically is one thing, psychologically is a different story. Regardless, there will be transportation costs. The cost per route is $31,000 per year that cannot be used for other programs.
The other factor that will cause the district difficulty is the need to maintain existing buildings. Many capital needs were included in the referendum that will now have to be completed without the funding from higher taxes. The rate at which these needs are being identified has exceeded the budget allocation to get them done. Many people have expressed concern that the district needs to maintain existing facilities and not let them get run down to the point where they need replacing. The money to accomplish this will have to come from existing programs. Where will the district find the money to make these cuts? Will they cut back funding for extra-curricular programs?
Space has been and will continue to be tight in many of our schools. Contrary to the perception that enrollments are declining or will be declining, the population of our schools has been steady or increasing for each of the past ten years with the exception of last year. In a year of tight budgets, there has been a shift from private and parochial schools back to public education. Further, many people in the community sent there kindergarten age students to private, parochial and other districts in the past, because Oshkosh did not offer all day programs. These kids are back now. The SAGE program is a reality. The space requirements of this program can't change. I don't think the program can or should be ended. The value to the children is well documented. What are the alternatives?
Commentary Question #4. What's in the future for FOCUS? Do you intend to keep the organization in place? What kinds of activities will it engage in?
Lemmer Response: I think FOCUS will continue to exist until a clear direction is set by the school board. The make-up of the committee may change, but the basic mission of the committee needs to remain in place to promote the future of our schools. The website will remain in place. (ourfocus.net)