Muskego Entrepreneur Puts Support Behind School Referendum

To the Editor:

Many people in the Muskego area know me as the President of InPro Corporation.  What most don’t know is that in my first career I served as the principal for 15 years at three elementary schools in Waukesha and West Allis; Randall, Heyer and Jefferson Schools.  During those years I led the schools as much like a business as I could, realizing that the tax dollars that supported our efforts were precious and needed to be guarded with passion.  It has always been my opinion that great educators can teach our children in most environments and the age of the building was secondary.  That is why I didn’t get on board with the Muskego – Norway School District building referendum last year.  On the other hand, I really didn’t make an effort to learn much about the real needs of the District. 

With a new referendum coming before the public next month, this time I took the time to meet with Dr. Schroeder, Superintendent of Schools.  I came away with the firm belief that the District is not just proposing the building program for the sake of building monuments for themselves.  I also took the time to view a DVD narrated by Gary Rosploch, Director of Buildings and Grounds, who convinced me that the condition of Tess Corners Elementary School was in particular need of replacement.  

With the belief that the building program is a definite necessity, I then took the time to examine how the district has been treating us, the taxpayers.  It’s one thing to identify a real need, but to open our pocketbooks to another wasteful government entity is something entirely different.  If history can demonstrate a fiscally conservative district that spends our tax dollars like it was their own, I would support the project.  What I found was that since 2004, the average school property tax bill has decreased by 6.5% while property values have increased by 33.4%.  This year the proposed tax levy shows a decrease of over $250,000.   For this we have been rewarded with:

1.     No program cuts.

2.     No increase in class size.

3.     No user fee increases.

4.     A cooperative educational staff contributing more towards their retirement and healthcare premium.

5.     Willingness to change their health insurance provider to save about $1 million.

6.     Only the 3^rd district in state history to win the Wisconsin Forward Award, Mastery Level.

7.     Seniors achieved the highest ACT college admissions scores in all areas of the exam.

We have a lot to be thankful for in Muskego, and the quality of education is at the top of the list.  If you look at a cost/benefit analysis, the average home owner in Muskego would pay an extra $10.44 per month.  For what this district has accomplished in the past with the children they educate and with the fiscally conservative culture they have established, I see no reason not to vote for this referendum.  If anyone is on the fence, please feel free to call me at InPro and I’ll personally go over in depth what I’ve learned over the past month.

Sincerely,

Philip J. Ziegler

President

InPro Corporation