7.1. SR 09-20-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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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.