Those decreases include a projected increase in state aid to the district next year and the scheduled retirement of the district's debt in two years. New Berlin voters have not approved a major school referendum in more than 15 years. The New Berlin Taxpayers Alliance, which worked against the April referendum, will also try to convince voters to reject the Elmwood measure, says President John Fillar. It really is an amazing force. Despite disagreement about how to address districtwide facilities needs, board members and parents do not dispute that Elmwood, built in the 1950s, is deteriorating.
Water seeps into the building during heavy rains, causing ceilings to sag and tiles to crumble.
Teachers often find mold on their instructional materials, Principal Jo Boardman and school custodian Dan Dommek said on a recent tour of the building. Boardman said the conditions have not gone unnoticed by Elmwood's 450 students, who cannot gather for an all-school assembly because the gym is too small. Kindergarten students do the hokeypokey in their classrooms because they don't have access to the gym, which is packed with classes all day. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Oct. 29, 2000. Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.