When will the vote take place?
The vote will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The polling places for the election will be as follows:Precinct No. 1: Combined Polling Place
Precinct No. 2: Combined Polling Place:
Precinct No. 3: Combined Polling Place Lake Lillian City Center. 511 Lakeview St. South. Lake Lillian, MN. The combined polling place for Precinct No. 3 serves all territory in Independent School District #2534 located in East Lake Lillian Township, Lake Lillian Township, Roseland Township, and the City of Lake Lillian, all in Kandiyohi County, Mn.
Bird Island City Hall 660 Birch Ave Bird Island, MN The combined polling place for Precinct No 1. Serves all territory in Independent School District #2534 located in Osceola Township, Melville Township, Palmyra Township, Bird Island Township, Northfolk Township, and the City of Bird Island, all in Renville County, MN Olivia Public Library. 405 S. 10th Street. Olivia MN. The combined polling place for Precinct No. 2 serves all territory in Independent School District #2534 located in Winfield Township, Kingman Township, Troy Township, Henryville Township, and the City of Olivia, all in Renville County, Minnesota
On Tuesday, November 8th, district residents will be asked to authorize extending the existing operating levy for 6 years, beginning with taxes payable in the year 2012. This is not an increase in the current operating levy; it is only a continuation of the current operating levy. These tax dollars make a significant difference in the district’s ability to maintain quality educational programs, services and opportunities for children, offset decreasing and inadequate revenues and minimize the impact of future budget reductions on student programs.
Why is an operating levy needed?
Nationally, the cost of maintaining our current educational programs has been increasing at a rate approaching 3.5% annually.
Since the early 1990s, state per-pupil funding has not kept pace with the increasing costs.
A loss of 280 students over the past 10 years has resulted in lost revenue totaling in excess of $1.43 million. Our existing operating levy is scheduled to expire in June of 2012. If it is not replaced, the district will suffer an annual revenue loss of approximately $556,000.
Operating levy revenues are needed to maintain quality educational programs, services and opportunities for students.
What does the proposal include?
To maintain the current levy authority to adequately sustain funding for the BOLD Schools.
What is the state contribution and the local contribution? The state equalization aid is 31% and the local contribution is 69% at 700 per pupil unit. The equalization goes down as the operating levy amount increases.
Is the district asking for the maximum allowable operating levy?
No, the maximum allowable levy is $1,332.24 per pupil with state aid and an additional $190.54 ($1,522.78) without state equalization aid. In special circumstances, some districts have been granted the authority to levy beyond the $1,522.78 cap. By maintaining the current levy authority, District 2534 is asking voters to consider a levy that is just over 50 % of the maximum allowable equalized levy limit and lower the cost of our neighboring districts and the state average.
Is agricultural farmland taxed as a part of the operating referendum?
No, beginning in 2001 agricultural farmland has been exempted from the operating referendum.
Agricultural homestead taxes are based upon the house, garage and one acre of land.
How much fund balance does the district carry and why is it necessary to have a fund balance at that level?
Currently the district has a fund balance of approximately 40% of its general fund operating budget.
Currently, with the State of Minnesota’s shift in state aid payments, the district will only receive 60% of the expected state aid during the budget cycle. It is necessary to have a
strong fund balance in order to maintain cash flow and avoid interest borrowing money to avoid a budget crisis.
For what will the funds be used?
Help maintain reasonable class size at both the elementary and secondary levels.
Help maintain current student programs, opportunities and services, i.e. all day every day kindergarten.
Curriculum updates for increased student achievement.
Continue to offer a variety of educational choices for students with varying interests, ability levels and needs, while giving consideration to program or staffing needs that focus on improving student achievement.
What happens if the referendum doesn’t pass?
Based upon enrollment projections and without an operating levy, the district will experience a decline in general education funding of $2 million over the next 4 years. In the absence of additional state funding and without the additional operating levy authority, significant budget reductions will occur beginning in the Spring of 2012 and continue each year into the foreseeable future. There will be fewer programs and staff, larger class sizes, fewer elective classes, increased school fees and fewer district services.
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