The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

August 23, 2009

Waseca facing new referendum

Voters rejected two-part referendum last fall

By Tanner Kent

WASECA — The Waseca School Board has decided to start talking referendum again.

But the real work, board officials say, will be engaging an audience to listen.

Last fall, the Waseca School District launched an informational campaign in the run-up to its two-question referendum. Board members and school officials held more than 30 community meetings and informational sessions — but they were less-than-sparsely attended. Even a round of radio ads and last-minute volunteer canvassing couldn’t overcome the 60 percent of Waseca voters who voted against the proposal.

At the time, Waseca Supt. John Rokke said the referendum’s failure represented a “clear statement” that area families could not afford such a steep tax increase.

But this time, Rokke is hoping the district’s second straight attempt at an operating referendum will represent an equally clear statement that the district can’t afford to survive without one.

“We realize this is very difficult,” Rokke said. “But we just can’t cut anymore.”

This year’s attempt will be only one question (in order to eliminate confusion) and propose an additional $1,300 per pupil for a term of six years. The proposal was approved unanimously by the board last week; if it’s approved by voters in November, it would replace the district’s current levy of $610 per pupil.

Statewide, Waseca is one of 62 districts that will attempt a referendum this fall, according to figures from the Minnesota School Boards Association (although the number will likely increase to more than 70 in coming weeks).

Already, more than 90 percent of Minnesota districts have referendums in place. In this area, Maple River (renew existing $889/pupil levy), Blue Earth Area (renew existing $650/pupil levy) and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown ($1,200/pupil levy) have also announced intentions for a referendum.

Over the past three years, the Waseca School District has cut more than $2 million and 20 teachers from its budget, which has suffered from relatively slight — but annual — declines in its enrollment over the past decade.

Despite the cuts, however, Waseca has maintained a strong academic record, posting some of the region’s top scores on the most recent round of MCA-II state assessment results and earning a pair of state awards this year for innovative teaching techniques.

But board members say further budget reductions would begin digging into the marrow of the district’s academic success: elimination of all-day kindergarten, elimination of Professional Learning Communities, reduction of course offerings and skyrocketing class sizes.

“I just believe, after listening closely to my constituents, that they are not in favor” of such budget reduction options, said Keith Hiller, a Waseca School Board member who spent several months analyzing the district’s fiscal standing as part of the its financial committee.

“In order to not have those things on the front burner, I think the only option is $1,300 per pupil to maintain our quality of education.”

In the coming weeks, Rokke said board members and school officials will begin a go-to-the-voter campaign — instead of hosting meetings and letting voters come to them. Rokke said they will participate in “unending” meetings with community members and stakeholders and that board members will be extra visible.

“We will meet with as many voters as are willing to talk with us,” Rokke said, adding later: “The next round of cuts will be so damaging that a lot of families simply won’t stand for it because it’s about opportunities for their kids.”

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