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After $1.5 million in budget cuts and modifications for this year, and greater levels of cuts projected in the future, the Spring Lake Park school board has decided to go to voters in November in order to help protect classroom learning and class sizes in the future.
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Video: Answers to Your Levy Questions
Q&A with Supt. Don Helmstetter & Asst. Supt. Jeff Ronneberg
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At the September 8 meeting, the board voted 7-0 to place two ballot questions on the November 3 general election ballot.
The district has not sought a Levy for Learning-related ballot question from voters since 2002, and this revenue has not increased since that time.
Background
Because of the state’s two-year zero increase to schools, there is an annual gap of $1.5 million between district expenditures and revenues. The three-year average increase from the state for last year, this year, and next is 0 .35%, and district expenditures have had a growth rate of 2 ½ to 3 1/2 percent per year.
Community Support
In a May 2009 Community Survey conducted by the Center for Community Opinion, over half of those surveyed supported both a Levy Renewal and Increase to support and sustain existing services and programs.
Two Questions on the Ballot
The first ballot question would RENEW an existing but expiring ten-year levy. This “Levy for Learning” has been in place since 1999 and, if not renewed, will expire at the end of the current year, causing the district to lose $1.5 million in annual funding. Question 1 would not increase taxes - it would extend an already-existing Levy.
The second ballot question involves another existing Levy for Learning. This question would ask voters for the authority to REVOKE a ten-year Levy for Learning approved in 2002, and to REPLACE it with a levy that resulting in an increase of $96/year or $8.08/month for the average district home. This existing Levy would otherwise have to be renewed in the next few years to retain this funding.
What this means for district residents
Question 1 would not increase taxes - it would extend an existing Levy, keeping your taxes the same.
Question 2 would provide an increase in funding for the district, and a tax increase of $8 a month for an average “assessed market value” home ($200,000) in our school district.
Have questions? We’ll come to you.
We will answer your Levy for Learning questions any time or anywhere. If you would like the superintendent, a district administrator, or a school board member to visit with your organization, or come to a neighborhood gathering for coffee and a chat, please call 763-785-5513.
Accountability Need information on demographics, our vision for the future, projects and priorities, data and assessment summaries, or how we're accountable in student achievement and fiscal responsibility? Visit Accountability
Election Day/Voting
The Levy for Learning will be on the ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 General Election. Polling locations will be:
Precinct 1: Woodcrest Elementary School
880 Osborne Rd, Fridley (for District 16 residents who live in Fridley and Spring Lake Park)
Precinct 2: Westwood Intermediate School
701 91st Avenue NE, Blaine (for District 16 residents who live in Blaine)
Polls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
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