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011Y170551j Sad1Y08;10011D5 V105314N(U1)3H1 WO213 30109 b <br /> n Minnesota,voters have a strong voice in the direction of their school <br /> I <br /> districts.School boards need voter approval for building projects and to increase <br /> local property taxes when state funding is not meeting local programming needs. <br /> Bond referenda support new construction,renovation and other capital <br /> expenses.Operating levy referenda provide additional local property tax dollars <br /> to maintain or enhance school operations.This guide is intended to help school <br /> board members understand their role in referenda campaigns and what they— <br /> and school staff—can and cannot do during the campaign. <br /> Think of the campaign in terms of two components:the district informational <br /> campaign and the citizen promotional campaign. <br /> DISTRICT INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN <br /> • The goal is an informed citizenry <br /> •The district must provide information about <br /> the campaign in a neutral manner. <br /> • District funds must not be used to promote <br /> the election's outcome. <br /> KEY ATTORNEY GENERAL-'s OPINIONS <br /> Op.Atty.Gen.1596-11(Sept.17,1957),Op.Atty.Gen.159A-3 <br /> (May 25,1962):The Attorney General has ruled that school boards <br /> are permitted to expend a reasonable amount of money to Inform <br /> voters of the facts concerning a particular bond issue. <br /> Op.Atty.Gen.1596-11(Sept.17,1957):The board determines <br /> what is a reasonable amount to be expended. <br /> Op.Atty.Gen.159A-3(May 24,1966):While school boards may <br /> expend reasonable amounts of school district funds to impartially <br /> place pertinent facts before the voters,school district funds cannot be <br /> used to promote an affirmative vote on the proposal. <br /> •Districts may use funds for a neutral <br /> informational campaign. <br /> CITIZEN PROMOTIONAL <br /> CAMPAIGN <br /> UTNE VOTE-YES GROUP) <br /> •The promotional campaign operates <br /> independently of the district. <br /> •The goal is to pass the referendum. <br /> •The individuals who work on the promotional <br /> campaign have a great deal of latitude in their <br /> promotional work <br /> •The promotional campaign raises and spends <br /> private funds. <br />