MPR: More levy referendums than ever for Minnesota schools

More levy referendums than ever for Minnesota schools
By Tim Pugmire
Minnesota Public Radio
October 19, 2001

More than half of the school districts in Minnesota are asking local taxpayers for additional financial support this fall, the most ever. Those requests come in the form of excess tax levy referendums on the November 6 ballot. In a normal year, no more than a fifth of the school districts hold levy votes. But educators statewide say this has been far from a normal year when it comes to school funding.

Seventh and eighth grade girls at Rosemount Middle School practice their volleyball serves. District 196 officials say they will cut all middle school extra-curricular activities if a levy referendum fails. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

There are 341 school districts in Minnesota, and 183 are holding excess levy referendums this fall. That represents a potential total boost of more than $190 million in additional annual funding. State funding to public schools increased this year by a modest 2.6 percent, and schools responded by cutting budgets, increasing class sizes and raising fees. Minnesota tax law changes mean the state is taking over much of the cost of public education through the sales and income taxes. The shift didn't provide any new money for education, but the resulting property tax reductions could put voters in the mood to support their local schools. Scott Croonquist of the Association for Metropolitan School Districts says school leaders felt they had to ask.

"It's their obligation to give their local voters the choice, saying do you want to support this, or if you don't you need to understand the budget reductions and what the consequences are going to be," Croonquist said.

The seventh and eighth grade girls working on their volleyball serves at Rosemount Middle School now pay a $70 fee to play. But officials in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district say the consequences of a failed levy referendum this fall will include the elimination of girls' volleyball and all middle school extra curricular activities next year. They'll also cut high school activities in half, further reduce bus service and cut another 33 teachers. Larry Larson, principal at Rosemount Middle School, says at least 400 of his students participate in dozens of after-school programs. He says the potential cuts are frightening.

"What do you do with middle school kids that aren't after school? Well they're out in the community, and they're not doing supervised activities. And often times doing things that get them in real significant trouble," he said.

"We're almost dead last as far as spending and revenue. We can't go any lower," says district 196 superintendent John Haro. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

If approved by voters, the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district would generate an additional $16.3 million a year for six years. Failed referendums the past two years resulted in $11 million dollars in budget cuts and fee increases. Superintendent John Haro says the fourth largest district in Minnesota is at a fiscal crossroads.

"We're 47th out of 48 in spending and revenue, out of the 48 metro districts. We're almost dead last as far as spending and revenue. We can't go any lower, other than being last place," Haro said. Levy votes can be divisive, and opponents in Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan are organized and vocal. This year, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Taxpayers League of Minnesota are criticizing all 179 levy referendums. David Strom, legislative director of the Taxpayers League, says districts are trying to undermine the big property-tax reductions approved by the Legislature.

"There may in fact be school districts out there with special circumstances where it really does make sense, where you're going to see real improvement. But we think in almost every case what's really going to happen is school districts are going to be asking parents and taxpayers to pay more for the same system," Strom said. Charlie Kyte of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators says he thinks such criticisms from state groups are "dead wrong." He says local taxpayers need to make that decision based on what's best for their local schools.

"They should look at the costs factors that are associated with public education. They should look at the impact on their local property taxes, if they do or don't support a local operating levy. And they should make their decision based on that," he said. The large school districts asking voters for additional money include Anoka-Hennepin, Bloomington, Mounds View, Osseo, Rochester, Robbinsdale, South Washington County and St. Cloud. Minneapolis and St. Paul won voter approval for large levies last fall.

Larry Larson, Rosemount Middle School principal, says the potential cuts are frightening. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

Larry Larson, principal at Rosemount Middle School, says at least 400 of his students participate in dozens of after-school programs. He says the potential cuts are frightening.

"What do you do with middle school kids that aren't after school? Well they're out in the community, and they're not doing supervised activities. And often times doing things that get them in real significant trouble," he said.

If approved by voters, the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district would generate an additional $16.3 million a year for six years. Failed referendums the past two years resulted in $11 million dollars in budget cuts and fee increases. Superintendent John Haro says the fourth largest district in Minnesota is at a fiscal crossroads.

"They should look at the costs factors that are associated with public education. They should look at the impact on their local property taxes, if they do or don't support a local operating levy. And they should make their decision based on that," he said. The large school districts asking voters for additional money include Anoka-Hennepin, Bloomington, Mounds View, Osseo, Rochester, Robbinsdale, South Washington County and St. Cloud. Minneapolis and St. Paul won voter approval for large levies last fall.

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