Area schools seek continued funding
Posted By Admin on September 1, 2011
Minnesota school districts are asking local voters for money in
record numbers this fall, and more may still add their name to the
list.
According to the Minnesota School Boards Association, 133
districts — more than a third of those in Minnesota — will have
referendums in conjunction with city and county elections this
November. Schools can also register for a solo election by the
Sept. 16 deadline.
The Minnesota Department of Education reported that as state
per-pupil funding has failed to keep up with inflation since 2003,
schools have become more reliant on local taxpayers.
Area schools are no exception.
St. Charles Superintendent Mark Roubinek said his district has
been dealing with state shifts in funds by dipping into its
reserves, costing about $100,000 per year. As the state delays more
funds, St. Charles’ need for a levy is growing.
The district, which doesn’t currently have an operating levy,
will ask for a $300 per-pupil levy this November in an effort to
maintain programming and regain cash flow. Without it, Roubinek
said the district may have to cut as much as $300,000 from its
budget.
Lewiston-Altura Public Schools could also face budget cuts if
its levy isn’t passed. The school district receives $501 per pupil
in its current levy, which they hope to renew this year.
If the current levy — which expires in 2012 — isn’t renewed, the
district could face up to $340,000 in lost revenue between 2011 and
2013, according to Superintendent Jeff Apse.
“We’re not looking to add on a whole bunch of things, we’re
looking to maintain and improve what we have,” Apse said.
Mabel-Canton and Plainview-Elgin-Millview School Districts were
also listed as requesting levies this fall. Further details weren’t
immediately available.
Caledonia Area Public Schools will also be asking voters to
renew its $725 per-pupil operating levy. The school will add a
second question to the ballot, asking voters to approve a one-day
bond sale which would allow the district to keep $495,000 that
would otherwise be paid to the state as part of a loan program to
construct a new school building in 2002. Neither measure would
raise local taxes, according to Superintendent Bruce Thomas.
“Caledonia absolutely, desperately needs this money,” said
Michelle Werner, chairwoman of the Caledonia Area Public School
Board. “There’s no fluff to cut anymore. We’re getting to the point
of cutting basic essential education needs.”
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