REFERENDUM FOR EC SCHOOLS LIKELY IN NEAR FUTURE
In light of massive budgetary shortfalls, which look to total about $30 million over the next five years, the members of the Eau Claire school board are considering looking to taxpayers to help rebuild the schools. Faced with a budget that has already been repeatedly slashed and strained, the board will, in all likelihood, be bringing the issue to the community via referendum in the next year (Sept. 14 is the earliest). But several board members have said they are hesitant to move forward so soon, and want to spend time “selling” the public on the idea. If the board decides to move forward with a referendum, it would specifically ask residents to certify a tax increase to address structural concerns with school buildings.

COUNTY MAY TAKE JAIL ISSUE TO ADVISORY REFERENDUM
Eau Claire County voters could have the opportunity to offer their opinion about where to build the controversial county jail at an advisory referendum tentatively scheduled for April 6. The board may ask voters whether they prefer a $57.6 million downtown jail or an off-site justice center, at either the River Prairie development in Altoona or a site southeast of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Highway 93, estimated to cost $108.1 million. Others, such as Supervisor Ken Fulgione, have voiced that there should be more choices on a referendum question, and argued that the county should consider a $2 or $3 million remodeling project that would turn the current work release center into regular jail cells. The matter is scheduled to appear before the county board for a vote on Feb. 16.

ONE SCREENPLAY, DOUBLE THE ODDS OF SEEING IT ON STAGE
If you’ve never written a play, but thought about it, now’s the time to give it a shot. If you have, well, you’re in luck, too. The Eau Claire Children’s Theatre and Heyde Center are both independently holding playwright competitions right now. ECCT invites anyone from middle school to adulthood to enter, win prizes, and see their work produced on stage. Plays need to be 10 minutes long and submitted by Feb. 26. You have until May 1 to get something to the Heyde Center, which is accepting original works in any genre. Winners will likewise be staged, though not until 2011. Visit ECCT.org or CVTCA.net for respected info.