The last thing that most school officials want to do in tough economic times is ask for money.
So as many school districts in the region, as well as across the state, prepare to ask voters to approve operating levies in November, community members need to keep a few points in mind.
For one thing, 19 of the 57 districts asking for approval of an operating levy simply want the public to renew the levy amount they already have. The levies are good up to 10 years and then must be renewed to continue. In this region, Blue Earth Area and Maple River school districts will ask voters to renew existing levies. New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva doesn’t have an operating levy and will attempt to pass one in November.
Some other districts, such as Le Center, Waseca and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, are asking for higher operating levies to help make up for a shortage of state funding. Last year instead of a 3 percent inflationary increase to schools, schools got no increase. And to help solve the state budget deficit, the Legislature shifted 27 percent of the funds the state would usually pay school districts into the next budget cycle. That action put off raising $2 billion in taxes or making $2 billion in cuts until 2011. It forced schools to borrow money to meet cash flow. On top of that, another $1 billion in stimulus money will no longer be available.
Like it or not, districts rely upon their communities to keep their schools running. Not only is that a burden on local taxpayers, but when the Edinas can pass levies and the New Ulms can’t, students aren’t being fairly treated across the state.
Twenty years ago, fewer than half of the state’s school districts had an operating levy. Today, 92 percent have some sort of levy, averaging $828 per pupil. As the state has backed away from sufficient school funding, schools have to turn to more local funding to survive and to attempt to maintain quality.
A couple of local districts also are asking voters to help fund projects, including reconstruction in Montgomery-Lonsdale and deferred maintenance in St. Peter.
Voters have a choice of whether or not to approve school districts’ requests. And they have to take their power seriously. Last year, McLeod West asked voters to approve an operating levy or the district would face dissolution. Voters didn't approve the levy. The district is now dissolved.
