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7.1. SR 09-20-2010~'J ~~ ~~~~~ Making wise decisions for children The ISD 728 School Board is placing two financial questions on the November 2, 2010 ballot. Voters are asked to refer to this fact sheet for basic information, and our Web site for detailed information. The first question asks voters to renew an expiring levy; this question seeks to minimize adjustments to existing services and class sizes. The second question asks voters to approve a new levy; this question seeks to maintain core academics, programming and staffing. q -ao -~ o s~h~ ~~:~ ~ ~_~ ~.~~,o~ , +~a1~~~#~, , err~~awor ~. ~ . , ~~~~ What do we need of our stakeholders? We need all ISD 728 stakeholders to become educated, to become involved and to share the facts with every tax payer in our school district. We _ need our communities to know that ~~~~ these ballot questions are critical to our funding...these are not ballot questions to "increase° programs ~~~~ and services, but to "minimize impact' and "maintain" what we currently offer our students. Most of all we need stakeholders to vote what they feel is best for students. You can help by going to www.elkriver.k12.mn.us/reinvestinstudents or e- mail feedback@elkriver.k12.mn.us and volunteer today. Why are these questions important? They are important because the $6 million in requested funding is critical for maintaining existing services and minimizing adjustments in the future. All of this funding will be invested in student achievement. They are important because ISD 728 is the eighth largest and the fastest growing school district in Minnesota. In just seven years, nearly 3,000 students, more than the total enrollment of 80 percent of all state school districts, enrolled in ISD 728 schools. Yet, despite this explosive growth, our district is near the bottom in per pupil and operating levy funding. These questions are important because while we are financially well managed (supported by state and national awards and audits), we have no control over outside factors, such as: • A state K-12 funding system that is archaic, broken and unsustainable. • No state aid increases for three years; state cuts are expected the next two years. Mandated federal and state Special Education costs that are rising five percent annually. • State mandated teacher's retirement contributions that are incrementally increasing by two percent up to $1 million by 2014. Energy management (utility) costs that are increasing by five to eight percent annually. With passage of both operating levies, ISD 728 will still be more than $900 per pupil behind the number one metropolitan funded school district and $300 below the average. What have we done? A lot, but we're running out of options. Until the broken and unsustainable state system is fixed, school districts like ours must rely on local taxpayers for support. We in ISD 728 know our taxpayers are paying their fair share, so we are doing our part and more. • We administratively reorganized to 3.9 percent of our budget; the state average is five percent. • We provided voluntary retirement incentive plans, reduced expenditures on salaries, decreased involuntary layoffs and mitigated increases in class sizes. • We negotiated a zero percent premium cost increase in the renewal of health insurance plans for 2010-2011 and secured a premium increase rate cap guarantee for the next two years. • We renegotiated vendor contracts, resulting in more than $2 million in savings to date. • We audited our Special Education programs, resulting in more than $1 million in additional revenue. • We implemented integrated planning, focusing on student needs and minimizing the impact to taxpayers. • We sought legislative relief last session, and we will again in 2011. Where does our revenue come from? State Aid Local Taxes Federal Aid Other local revenues Investments How do we spend your tax dollars? 2.4% 3:9% 10.1°/D 1 Educational, 3.3% Instructional 8 Pupil Support Services sites & 8u€Idings 80.2% Administration District Support "~'. ~ Services ,~ , How does ISD 728 compare in funding? Operating levy comparisons Per Pupil funding comparisons $1,814 $9,358 $8,600 $1,206 $6,989 $697 #1 fundetl Metro ISD dt tuntleU 308Y8 ISD school district average 728 school district 9verage 728 How much will these levies cost me? Our first question, renewing an existing levy, is a continuance of taxes previously approved by our voters. With approval, the ISD 728 portion of your taxes will not change. The second question is for a new levy. Your taxes for this levy are based on your assessed property value. This chart gives an example of how your taxes may change; our Web site has a calculator that more specifically will address your taxes. -. $150,000 $6.17 $200,000 $8.17 $250,000 $10.25 $300,000 $12.33 What happens if these questions fail? Our district will be forced to reduce our budget by a minimum of $4 million. This is funding that directly affects student learning. More specifically, the loss of this funding will directly result in: • Increasing classroom sizes (up to 10 percent). • Cutting positions (up to 70 staff) • Reducing programs and services in the Educational and Business areas of our school district. Does this have to happen? No. Our district Strategic Plan calls for ISD 728 to be world- class by 2015. Our academic, athletic, arts and staff accomplishments, awards and recognitions show we are on the right path. Our initiatives, such as distance learning and science, technology, engineering and math schools, are forward-thinking. All of these and more, all student focused, can happen with the passage of these two ballot questions. What can you do to help? • Eo'acafe our communities, Inspire them to support students and Err-power them to make the right choices. • Express your concerns with your state elected officials. • Be an advocate by volunteering for our students, our schools, our school district and our communities. • Vote what is best for students on November 2, 2010. Where can you get. more information? Web: www.elkriver.k12.mn.us/reinvestinstudents E-mail: feedback@elkriver.k12.mn.us Phone: 763.241.3419 Wabsle(s Dktlgnary 8elkes 9nwsf among athas a'b make usa oifw future banefils.' Thu Is an Inloemelionel and factual Aacumenl on behaU d Intlepeneant SchoW Dk1rk1 ]28 (Elk Rlvar Ma Publk Schook), 815 FOghway 10, Elk RNer, AOR 55330-2509.