Nov 5, 2007 9:04 pm US/Central
School Levies: Challenge For Many Districts
(WCCO)
Voters in about 100 school districts will be deciding on Tuesday whether to raise taxes to give their schools more money.
It's not always something voters are always willing to do.
In 2006, just more than 38 percent of ballot questions were approved.
There was a better year for levies in 2005 with voters approving more than 73 percent.
In 2004, it was just about 50-50.
On Tuesday, voters will help determine whether Wade Kinson gets to keep his job. If voters defeat the Anoka-Hennepin school levy 500 teachers will be laid-off. As many as nine buildings could be closed.
"It's the highest stakes election we have ever seen in this district. Nothing this severe, nothing this great has been at stake for the good of our education in Anoka-Hennepin," said Dennis Carlson, Anoka-Hennepin Assistant Superintendent.
The Coon Rapids Middle School principal makes calls after-hours to help out other volunteers, trying to call every parent in Anoka-Hennepin, the state's largest district.
In one of the smallest districts in the metro, Brooklyn Center, the levy is aimed at preventing an increase in class sizes. A no-vote might mean 35 kids in elementary school classes. After four defeated levies in the past the district has a new strategy -- ask for less money than any previous attempt.
"Let's ask for less money to at least help us to maintain perhaps, or come close to maintain where we're at," said Brooklyn Center Superintendent Keith Lester.
That is an appropriate levy, according to the Taxpayers League of Minnesota, which predicts that any levy is a tough sell for taxpayers these days.
"If people's disposable income is going up then there more likely to say well I won't mind paying a little bit more for city services, government services, schools," said Phil Krinkie of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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