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referendum forum

District 84 seeks $350-per-pupil-unit operating levy

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- About 30 District 84 residents, school board members, teachers and administrators attended a soup supper and operating referendum informational meeting Monday night in the public school cafeteria.

The district's proposed $350-per-pupil-unit, 10-year operating referendum that would begin next school year if voters approve it Nov. 6. The referendum would generate an additional $164,000 each year for the district plus $110,000 in state aid.

Due to recent legislation, school property taxes will be reduced about 50 percent next year. With passage of the referendum, school property taxes will still drop by 40 percent, according to information the board is mailing to residents.

Superintendent Jay Haugen said he is positive every homeowner will see an overall school property tax decrease even with referendum passage.

Overall school property taxes will decrease by 40 percent even with the passage of a $350-per-pupil-unit referendum, according to the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning.

Taxes on a home with a market value of $50,000 would decrease $3 per year, $4 on a $70,000 home, $17 on a $100,000 home and $103 on a $125,000 home.

Farm land is no longer subject to school referendum tax, according to 2001 state tax law. Proposed referendums will be based only on the value of the house, garage, and surrounding acre of land.

Haugen stressed the importance of investing in education.

"I believe you reap what you sow," Haugen said. "I still think Minnesota is still one of the best states in the nation. This operating referendum is a wonderful way for us to invest in education. Many people are proud of what our school district has done the past few years."

The school day was reduced from four block periods to three, and class offerings were reduced from 100 to 89 this year to balance the budget.

The board reduced the number of required graduate credits from 28 to 24 so students could graduate this year with the reduced number of classes.

District taxpayer Pat Lowther shared his view of the credit and class reduction.

"What that did was dumb down students," Lowther said.

Haugen said classes cut this year included advanced courses that drew 10-12 students. Study halls replaced some advanced classes.

Haugen said all operating referendum money would be used for enhancing student education.

Board member Marcia Marti talked about cuts.

"We're past the fat, we're cutting into the bone," Marti said.

A resident asked if the board would give administrators 5 percent per-year pay increases again if the operating referendum passed.

Haugen wrote $100,000 in grants last year, paying for his salary, Marti responded. She said most administrators easily wrote grants equal to at least half their salary, adding that she does not feel Sleepy Eye schools are top heavy with administrators.

Board chairman Reynold Dittbenner said a study of administrative salaries of 25 districts showed District 84 was 23rd highest.

Haugen said he disagreed with Gov. Jesse Ventura when he told taxpayers to be wary of school and county boards trying to take more money from them with operating referendums.

"He (Ventura) just doesn't get it," Haugen said. "His own budget is on shakey ground."

Voting takes place from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in the elementary school.