Madison Voters Approve 3 Referendum Questions

Voters in the Madison school district Tuesday (November 9, 1999) approved three major referendum questions, including two to exceed revenue controls.

The three questions amounted to more than $31 million.

• A $20 million item to exceed revenue controls to fund backlogged maintenance projects passed easily, with about 74% of the vote.
• An $11 million item to build a new elementary school won with 60% of the vote.
• A request to exceed revenue controls by $340,000 to operate the new school squeaked by with 53% of the vote.

Jeff Leverich, co-chair of Citizens for Investing in Madison Schools, said Madison educators played a critical role in getting the measures passed.

"One significant factor in the success of these referenda compared to two years ago is the positive relationships the new superintendent Art Rainwater and John Mathews (executive director of Madison Teachers Inc.) have helped create among the district, teachers, and the community," Leverich said. "A level of trust and credibility that did not exist then has now been established.

"Also," he added, "a grassroots organizing effort led by Citizens for Investing in Madison Schools, which included many Madison teachers, worked to build a network of parents within each school building in the district."

Posted November 10, 1999