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Madison's superintendent seeking balance, gaining fans(Wisconsin State Journal, The (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 24--On his last day as chief of Green Bay's schools, Daniel Nerad worked to plug a $6.5 million hole in this year's budget. The next day, July 1, Nerad reported to his new job as superintendent of Madison's schools, where his first major test is to fix an $8.1 million hole in the 2009-10 budget and multimillion-dollar gaps in years beyond. Nerad, a former social worker, is finding that his handling of financial issues largely will define his early tenure in Madison. He's gaining fans fast, even as he plunges into one of the most contentious issues facing the school district. After less than two months in town, Nerad last week announced that he wants voters to approve a series of tax increases, phased in over three years, that would allow the Madison School District to permanently exceed state revenue limits by $13 million. Nerad's recommendations, which so far have been praised by School Board members, call upon the district to demonstrate that it's engaged in a "partnership" with the community by taking several steps to hold down the impact on taxpayers. According to Nerad and Erik Kass, the district's newly hired assistant superintendent for business services, the district would implement accounting measures -- including creating a fund to spread the cost of facility maintenance projects over a longer period -- that would increase the amount of aid that the district receives from the state, saving local taxpayers money. If a referendum is approved and the accounting measures are adopted, the tax bill for an average homeowner would rise 1.1 percent for the 2009-10 school year but would decline to below today's levels for at least the next two years, according to district estimates that assume the home doesn't increase in value during that time period. Under those estimates, the owner of a $250,000 home currently paying the school district $2,480 in taxes would pay $27.50 more the first year, $27.50 less than the current bill the second year and about $100 less the third year. However, district estimates also show that if the home increased in value at a rate of 4 percent per year, its tax bill would be $92 higher in 2011-12 than it is currently. The School Board plans to vote Monday on whether to place the referendum on Nov. 4 ballots. The tone of debate remains respectful so far -- a dividend of Nerad's energetic efforts to build ties to people throughout the community. "I am impressed with Dan," said Don Severson, president of Active Citizens for Education, a district watchdog group. Severson frequently clashed with Nerad's predecessor, Art Rainwater, who headed the district for a decade. "He's coming across as very genuine and sincere in his concerns," Severson said of Nerad. "He's a good listener." Severson made those remarks as he watched Nerad lead an Aug. 11 public forum at Warner Park Community Center to explore the public's views of a potential referendum and budget-cutting moves. Last week, after hearing Nerad's call for a referendum, Severson called the presentation to the School Board "very thorough, comprehensive," and said Nerad is winning the trust of the community. However, signs of friction began to appear Saturday afternoon, as Severson issued a statement calling upon the School Board to pull back from its plan to consider a referendum that would allow a permanent increase in the district's spending limits. Severson said the measure would amount to a blank check and a School Board vote to seek voter support "would be significantly premature and disastrous." Seeking balance For his part, Nerad is taking pains to praise residents for caring so deeply about their schools. He's vowing to seek a balance between what's best for children and for taxpayers -- one that takes into account the views of everyone. "This is not Dan Nerad's schools," Nerad told the 50 residents, 30 district employees and six School Board members attending the Warner Park event. "This is a public school district." Compared to Rainwater, Nerad's leadership style is more collaborative, and less top-down. Nerad is surprising some residents by showing up to meet them at events such as farmers' markets and Fiesta Hispana, where he chatted with residents who enjoyed spicy pork tortillas and the buoyant music of Latin America. He says it's important to meet people "on their terms" -- and he's already done so more than two dozen times. "I'm trying to break down some of the distance," Nerad said as he stood in the sun, wearing a golf shirt and khaki pants, on July 29 at the East Side Farmers' Market to meet with a crowd wearing cotton dresses, shorts and sandals. As she met Nerad, Mary Trainor, whose son Nathaniel Trainor Sample will be a freshman at East High School, noted that Nerad had received kind attention so far in the news. "I am impressed, especially since this is the smaller farmers' market," Trainor said after speaking with Nerad. "It sounds like he's stepping into things right away. It's a nice feeling to know that he's willing to listen to people and is open to changing things that need to change." Nerad soothed the jitters of a recent crowd at a La Follette High School athletic banquet, athletic boosters club president Ann Wachter said. While many people were nervous about the school's instability in key leadership positions in recent years, Nerad succeeded in focusing upon the school's promising future without appearing patronizing, Wachter said. "He blended right in," she said. Praise for leadership Employees of the district also are expressing admiration for Nerad's leadership style, one which apparently will give teachers a greater voice in decisions. "This man, I think he's going to do some great things," said Karen Seno, principal of Cherokee Middle School. John Matthews, executive director of Madison Teachers Inc., the teachers union, said he's enjoying a warm relationship with Nerad, much as he did with Rainwater. Matthews said everything about Nerad -- his facial expressions, his intellect and his listening skills -- put people at ease. At the time of Nerad's hiring, Matthews predicted he'd get off to a quick start because he already was familiar with Wisconsin's school finance system, including the revenue caps that since 1993 have limited how much money districts can raise from local property taxpayers. To exceed the limits, districts must receive voters' permission in referendums. "I'm even more impressed working directly with him," Matthews said Thursday just after meeting with Nerad. Matthews said he and Nerad are making progress on controversial issues, including school safety and the future of the district's athletic directors -- so much that although they haven't yet reached a settlement, they canceled a state hearing on their dispute over whether each high school should have a full-time athletic director. School Board President Arlene Silveira and board members Lucy Mathiak and Johnny Winston Jr. said that based on what they heard from residents and educators in Green Bay, Nerad will be able to maintain his pace. Nerad's calendar shows that he's had at least one public appearance every weekend day, except Aug. 2 and 3, since coming to work in Madison. "He doesn't burn out," Silveira said. One of the biggest differences between Nerad and Rainwater, according to School Board members, is that Nerad provides the board with more information about what's happening in the district. Silveira said Nerad's weekly memos help board members feel engaged, and she's hopeful that after the current financial questions are settled, the board can turn its focus to improving student achievement. Mathiak said she was thrilled last week after hearing Nerad's plan. "I think there is a honeymoon period and I think we're still in it." Winston said after watching Nerad at work, "I'm convinced we made the right choice. I think he's here for the long haul, too." To see more of The Wisconsin State Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Wisconsin State Journal Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 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