Ryan Haulotte - Letter to Editor

I’m writing in support of both the school board and Superintendent Rau.

Public debate is necessary for our society to operate. But this debate is bringing out the worst of us in efforts to recall the school board and the apparent end game of firing Superintendent Rau.  The school board are members of our community and by all accounts upstanding citizens and people.  We believe this because as voters, we elected them.  Many ran unopposed, showing how little interest any of us had to be involved until now.  Of course, elected officials open themselves up to criticism, but recent comments have crossed over into personal attacks.

Lou Nesberg and I are on different sides of this discussion, but I respect that she is asking tough questions and not resorting to simple slander.

The record attendance at the January meeting was an organized lynch mob, and many left before Superintendent Rau could give a presentation that may have answered questions everyone is now desperately seeking.  We also have elected officials participating in collecting recall signatures. 

Comments have been made that the district should be “responsible to the taxpaying voters of their school district”.  The district proposed a referendum that represented the public’s support of remodeling versus building new.  That change in direction was both compromise and responsibility.  As voters it is incumbent upon us to be informed whether we supported the referendum or not.  School board meetings and listening sessions were poorly attended.  Surveys sent had less than 20% return rate.  I encourage you to read the Eagle Herald article from Jan 26th, where City Assessor Mr. Pillath says the taxes increased because of the rise in fair market value and the real estate market, not because of the referendum.  “Properties were being sold for more than they were assessed at.  It’s based on actual sales and solid information.”  His information shows that taxes would have increased significantly with or without the referendum.  Then who would be to blame?  Marinette school district lowered their mill rate approximately 13% for 2022-23.  Yet taxpayers in Marinette district saw 10-12% increase in school taxes.  An example of the effect of rising home values. 

I see a storm brewing with discussion about who’s land the school sits on.  I believe city leaders recognized years ago the importance of a strong school system and supported that with leases of property.  The City of Peshtigo cast the highest number of votes, and the highest percentage of yes votes out of the 3 municipalities.  I hope the voice of the voters is respected as the school moves forward.   

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.”-Benjamin Franklin

Ryan Haulotte,
Town of Peshtigo