There's no need for school levy referendums
This week I plan to write about the need to pass school levy referendums in November.
We have a number of them in the Twin Cities area and superintendents are already bemoaning they have to pass them or cut millions of dollars for next year’s kids’ education.
Frankly, I see no need for referendums. Let the school boards take the hit if they approve spending the money.
This would be no different than how cities, counties and the Minnesota Legislature are allowed to increase their revenues.
If you tax the people, let them either vote you in or out.
Why are school districts any different?
Many of these school boards have outstanding business professionals on them, and they know if their school administration needs the money.
Instead, they have to wage an information campaign to tell the voters, many who don’t have kids in school, why they need the funds.
You can blame the no-tax Minnesota governor and the Legislature for not providing enough money for education.
You can blame the loss of revenue due to dropping enrollment in just about every school district.
You can blame tight-fisted taxpayers who won’t pass a tax increase no matter what.
And, you can blame this economy which makes everyone cautious about spending more money, even though the levy revenues stretch out for 10 years.
You can blame the federal and state government for not fulfilling their pledge to fund special education, which is a huge drain on local levies.
Well, pick your poison.
The fact is kids have one chance to be educated. They need the best education they can get and it needs to be funded without having to go with a tin cup to taxpayers and beg for the money.
Tight fisted I will be. I do not understand your way of thinking. You would give the school board a license to steal what is left of my small miserable paycheck after all the great government appointed thieves take theirs first. I work 1 and a 1/2 months now just to pay the property tax on my home. Maybe someday I will join the 7,000 people a week eating in the isles of food marts because my unemployment benefits ran out. Wake UP. Hope to see you @ the polls on NOV. 3rd
I agree that educating our children is one of the most important things that we fund. However, when one compares the % of taxes paid, we should have gotten rid of our “no new tax” governor but “health fees” ok. But before we raise levy taxes, lets look at the money there already. We are paying principals $90,000 plus great benefits at a time when 10% unemployment rules our great country. I truly believe someone else can do this job for less, much less. What the heck do they do that is worth that? Direct traffic for 30 minutes in the morning and evening. Let’s cut them to what they are worth, perhaps $50,000. And why do superintendents make more than the governor? If a wrestler can be governor, I think anyone should be able to be superintendent. Tell them just like the state is telling its employees, furlough or layoff, and start with the directors. $80,000 for a job of doing what? Please tell me what they do that someone else couldn’t do at a reasonable amount. And if we lose them to big business, good. Just don’t bail out the company that hires them. We are in a recession. Our superintendent couldn’t even negotiate with the non-professionals, instead opting for $177 an hour lawyer to drag it on for 2 years. He couldn’t even decide before kids went to the bus stop that he should call off school for the day. Great decision maker there. Stop giving these people our dollars. If we cut the salaries of the principals, directors, and superintenent, who don’t even work with the students to learn, we can come up with a third of the levy. Then let’s talk again. And don’t forget the increase even if this doesn’t pass.
I would like to point out a factual error in your story. You state:
Unlike townships, villages, counties and the state, school boards cannot increase taxes to balance the budget without a voter referendum.
In fact, Township governments sets their levy at their annual meeting. Every resident in attendance has an equal vote when the levy is set.
Please correct your mistake.
Gentlemen,
Iunderstand your frustration.
My major point is that if you don’t like how a district spends money, you have a chance to throw the school board members out.
Don’t use your concerns about the administraton to defeat levy referendums school districts need.
I believe thej Elk River school superintendent of schools makes $165,000, took no salary increase and runs a $100 million operation.
Thanks for writing.