Loading...
6.3. SR 09-16-2019 EOty1� ,.,�� Request for Action River To Item Number Mayor and City Council 6.3 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Presentations,Awards September 16, 2019 Cal Portner, City Administrator and Recognition Item Description Reviewed by ISD 728 Referendum Update Reviewed by Action Requested Receive information. Background/Discussion ISD 728 Superintendent Dr. Daniel Bittman will provide an overview and information regarding the district's planned referendum scheduled for this November. Financial Impact N/A Attachments ■ None The Elk River Vision A PehoMing community 2a itb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional POWERED By service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAWRE1 On November 5, 2019, residents of ISD 728 will decide whether to increase school funding through two referendum questions. The School Board unanimously approved holding a referendum after a year and a half of community input, research and planning. If both questions are approved, the district would: ► Renovate and improve the small auditorium in the C Building. P. Create a multi-purpose field to accommodate activities and athletic events for both boys and girls. ► Update facilities including track, concession areas, restrooms and locker areas. ► Update and upgrade restrooms and toilet facilities as needed. ► Improve storage spaces for activities and classes. ► Replace and upgrade failing heating and cooling systems. ► Replace and address damaged and inadequate locker systems. n1ir•Arinal f ■ Both questions would address classroom, budget and building needs across the district and at every level — benefiting ALL students. ■ Funds would support our community's values as outlined in the community -developed Strategic Plan and identified in community surveys. ■ ISD 728 would have more stable funding while being able to: Address growing enrollment. Improve equity and access to quality learning environments for ALL students. Help protect our community's investment in its schools. IMIVIM311mig1kila I qw- There would be continued budget cuts and inadequate funding for our school buildings, resulting in: ni ict%rin ei n ► Increased class sizes. ► Inadequate and inequitable spaces for students from one area of the district to another, such as classroom spaces, indoor physical education and outdoor athletic facilities. ► Boundary changes to accommodate space for enrollment growth. ■ Decreased academic support for struggling students. ■ Fewer and outdated classroom resources for students. ► A growing list of building maintenance needs without adequate funding to address them. ■ Elimination of some learning spaces dedicated to art, music and early childhood to accommodate student enrollment growth in grades K-12. ► Increased walking distance at all levels, because fewer students would be eligible for bus transportation. ■ Pressing building needs funded through a lease levy, which costs more for taxpayers and is more limited in what it can cover. STRONG SCHOOLS. STRONG COMMUNITIES. On November 5, 2019, residents of ISD 728 will decide whether to increase school funding through two referendum questions. The School Board unanimously approved holding a referendum after a year and a half of community input, research and planning. QUESTION If approved, the $750 per student increase would generate approximately $11 million per year, providing more predictable and stable funding, while adding support and resources for students throughout the district. 6�.LUMIMA DID YOU KNOW. Projections estimate an additional 7,000 students in the next 10 years, or an average of about 200 students per year. That's the equivalent of a new elementary school every few years. NE2,000 STUDENTS IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 According to the community survey done by Morris Leatherman Company, 9 out of 10 of those surveyed said the ISD 728 is performing at "good" or "excellent" levels when it comes to areas such as educational quality, staff and academic programs. The funds would be used for such things as: ► Supporting struggling students. Opportunity f( FAra•Cunicul ► Maintaining class sizes. Athletics and 0 -Supporting student mental health. Activities ► Updating curriculum and other classroom materials. ► Improving career and technical programs for students. QUESTION The new bonding money would be used to: ► Build a middle school to address enrollment growth. ► Address building maintenance needs across ISD 728, such as roofs, HVAC systems and parking lots, to maintain the community's investment in our schools. ► Update indoor physical education and outdoor athletic facilities at all three traditional high schools to ensure they are equitable and adequate for students across the district. ► Create more flexible learning spaces across the district and at all levels to support different student learning styles. DOW KWUU1111G WUI bUWUIR and Skills Development College Prep Academic Achievement Course Dtferiogs Quality of Teaching Staff We are the 8th largest school district in Minnesota, but our per student operating levy and total general fund revenue are LAST among the 15 largest districts. Total Per Student Operating Levy FuQnding " 2019-2020 O O O 117 O CV d V}N CM 4 W NCq � �. E9 C O n O N O 07LO yr co " - o Source: tv.. . apartment of Education ro i ' ' ' i BOTH QUESTIONS IV ► Both questions would address classroom, budget and building needs across the district and at every level — benefiting ALL students. 0► Funds would support our community's values as outlined in the community -developed Strategic Plan and identified in community surveys. ► ISD 728 would have more stable funding while being able to: » Address growing enrollment. » Improve equity and access to quality learning environments for ALL students. » Help protect our community's investment in its schools. BOTH QUESTIONS There would be continued budget cuts and inadequate funding for our school buildings, resulting in: ► Increased class sizes. ► Decreased academic support for struggling students. ► Fewer and outdated classroom resources for students. ► A growing list of building maintenance needs without adequate funding to address them. • Spaces that are not equitable or adequate for students from one area of the district to another, such as classroom spaces, indoor physical education and outdoor athletic facilities. Elimination of some learning spaces dedicated to art, music and early childhood to accommodate student enrollment growth in grades K-12. ► Increased walking distance at all levels, because fewer students would be eligible for bus transportation. ■ Boundary changes to accommodate space for enrollment growth. ► Some pressing building needs would be funded through a lease levy, which costs more for taxpayers and is more limited in what it can cover. DID YOU KNOW.,,."i Including reductions for the 2019-2020 school year, ISD 728 has cut more than $20.2 million from its budget in 1 years. Cuts have impacted staffing, programming, classroom resources and class size. If state funding had kept up with inflation since 2003, ISD 728 would have received nearly $9 million more in 2018-19. This gap is projected to increase. 7500 $7,228 N 6750 Funding Gap - CL s000 $6,567 5250 C: C: a 4500 , 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 5, 2019. Visit www.isd728.org/PollingPlace or call 763-765-4351 to find your polling location. Early voting begins September 20, 2019. Vote early in-person: visit the Sherburne County Government Center Auditor/Treasurer Dept. during regular business hours, 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River. Vote early by mail: visit www.isd728.org/AbsenteeBallot to download the application. The estimated tax impact on the average homeowner ($250,000 value home) would be less than $32 per month. IMPACT_1*MONTHLY TAX TAX IMPACT Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 5, 2019. Visit www.isd728.org/PollingPlace or call 763-765-4351 to find your polling location. Early voting begins September 20, 2019. Vote early in-person: visit the Sherburne County Government Center Auditor/Treasurer Dept. during regular business hours, 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River. Vote early by mail: visit www.isd728.org/AbsenteeBallot to download the application. The estimated tax impact on the average homeowner ($250,000 value home) would be less than $32 per month. * On an average home value of $250,000 000 Visit Email Call Find Us www.isd728.org/728strong 728strong@isd728.org 763.274.6277 On Social Media Prepared and paid for by Independent School District 728. This publication is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question. IMPACT_1*MONTHLY TAX Question 1 $27.75 Question 2 $6.75 Subtotal $34.50 Reduction of Other District Levies -$2.75 Total Per Month $31.75 * On an average home value of $250,000 000 Visit Email Call Find Us www.isd728.org/728strong 728strong@isd728.org 763.274.6277 On Social Media Prepared and paid for by Independent School District 728. This publication is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question.