7.1. SR 09-20-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~'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.