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Speakers at Elkhorn school board meeting urge voters to back referendum, warn of cuts if it fails
Summary
Public commenters at the March 24 meeting criticized characterizations of the referendum as a trivial $13 monthly cost, urged turnout for the upcoming election and described specific program and staffing impacts if the referendum fails. Board members reported recent outreach and clarified communications the district has posted.
Two members of the public used the school board’s community participation period on March 24 to urge residents to vote in the upcoming election and to explain how the district’s referendum would affect families, staff and students.
Devin Gattney, a resident, said the commonly circulated estimate of about $13 per month misstates how the tax appears on property bills and urged turnout. “That $13 per month, that isn't how taxes are done… that's truly what this is $160 per year,” Gattney said, adding, “If you are a keyboard warrior and you're not getting out there and voicing your opinion at the ballot box, all of it doesn't matter.”
Deb Degner, who identified herself as a kindergarten teacher at Tibbetts and said she has worked in the district for about 30 years, described the classroom and family impacts she expects if the referendum fails: larger class sizes, more time on buses, a shorter school year that could raise childcare costs, staff reductions and a freeze on teacher pay. “The kids are going to spend more times on buses… they're going to be in larger class sizes. They're going to get less individual help,” Degner said. She urged residents to “vote yes for the kids, for teachers, for families, and guys, for the community.”
Board members reported that the district concluded a set of community sessions and that the district mailed a postcard explaining costs; staff said the mailer’s limited space had prompted at least one complaint that the back of the postcard implied only a $13.82 cost and that the district has since posted clarifying charts and a fact sheet on social media. Several board members also described school‑level visits with teachers and asked whether the district should hold regular, less formal community coffee hours going forward.
Board members reminded residents that the election was imminent and encouraged turnout. One board member also reported that area superintendents and school board members plan to attend a state finance committee hearing April 4, where local school funding concerns can be raised with legislators.
The board and staff noted one item raised by the public—how a potential state reorganization of the Department of Education would affect local schools—but said the implications are not yet known.
