A. Chaska School District, November 7 Levy ReferendumMEMORANDUM
School
District
11A
Date: September 20, 1995
To: Members of the Community Leaders Group
From: Dave Clough, District 112 Superintendent Vk
Subject: School Board Action — November 7 Levy Referendum
At a special meeting on Monday, September 18, the District 112 School Board unanimously
approved a resolution calling for a special election to be held on Tuesday, November 7, to
consider the question of raising additional operating funds for the District. I have attached a letter
that the Board is sending to District residents outlining the request and the need for these funds.
Further information, including projected tax impacts, will be shared at the Community Leaders
Meeting this Friday, September 22 at 7:30 A.M. at the Bluff Creek Elementary /Chanhassen
Recreation Center Recreation Center Facility at the junction of Highway 5 and Galpin Road. The District is also
interested in discussing with our cities the status of additional funds that would be generated in
Tax Increment Districts in the event of a successful referendum.
See you Friday.
School
District
I �
Office of Administration
Independent School District 112
110600 Village Road
Chaska, Minnesota 55318
612/368 -3620
September 19, 1995
Dear School District 112 Citizen:
The District 112 School Board took action last night that we believe requires your immediate
attention. The Board voted to bring an operating levy referendum to voters on Tuesday,
November 7, 1995. The Board seeks authority to levy an additional $332 per student annually
over the next 10 years. This would raise an additional $2 million in 1996 -97.
Why do we need this additional support?
1. TO OPEN NEW SCHOOLS
The District's financial projections show that in 1996 -97, without additional revenue, your
schools will be facing a deficit of approximately $1.5 million. This projected deficit is a direct
result of opening the new high school building and staffing the current high school building for
grades 8 and 9. We indicated at the time of the bond referendum in 1993, that we would return
to our community for operating dollars with which to open the new buildings. We were able to
put off our return to voters for an additional year by cutting budgets and raising class sizes in
order to fund the opening of Bluff Creek Elementary this fall. However, we are not able to
absorb the cost of opening the new secondary schools without drastic cutbacks in current
services.
2. TO COPE WITH RAPID GROWTH COUPLED WITH INADEQUATE STATE FUNDING
♦ Growth Continues - We continue to grow by more than 400 students each year This
rapid growth coupled with an on -going shortage of state funding continues to drain current
resources. Every year, more than $1 million of needed programs go unfunded because we do not
have the money to respond.
♦ State Dollars Shrinking - We are trying to manage these needs and others in the face
of current law which will lower state aid to District 112 by approximately $600,000 a year
beginning in 1997 -98. Education now competes with prisons and social service programs for a
shrinking state dollar. We are convinced that quality schools increasingly will be the result of
local effort.
♦ Transportation Costs Drain Budget- Busing costs continue to drain our budget. This
year we will have to shift $270,000 from the general fund which pays for instruction to the
transportation fund. We can not continue to take money away from classrooms to balance this
fund.
3. TO MEET INCREASING STUDENT NEEDS
♦ Expand Support For New Technology - With the support from the bond
referendum, we have been able to increase the availability of technology to students. We now
need to build the systems necessary to support the more than 600 computers in use in schools.
In addition, we have an opportunity to enable our teachers to monitor individual student
progress through technology, but we need the finances to implement this program in all
Serving the communities of eastern Carver County through equal opportunity in employment and education.
buildings.
♦ Increasing Numbers of Students "At- Risk" - We are dealing with an increasing
' number of students who are 'at -risk' academically because they struggle with family and
societal situations that keep them from being ready to learn when they come to school. We also
are serving significantly more students who do not speak English as their primary language.
' ♦ Expand Challenging Academic Programs - We are working to expand the
availability of even more challenging academic programs, but we do not have the funding to
fully implement these efforts.
' Barring further funding surprises from the state, referendum money will be used to chip away at
the needs identified above. We believe that our request for additional community support is
' responsible compared to our needs.
We need your support as we prepare students for the 21st century. We will be sending
' additional information detailing the cost of this proposal to you in the near future. If you have
questions or comments, please leave a message on the Levy Referendum Hotline: 438 -6726.
District staff will answer your questions and provide you with the information you need to
make an informed decision.
' Sincerely,
' The District 112 School Board
' ' ry Adams rederick R Whitney Charles Lawler Gino Businaro
448 -3356 448 -3206 448 -7675 448 -7363
Pat Donna Carol Olson on n De Bur
934 -4702 368- 4669 448 -6323