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Election Day: Schools' Future Up For Vote

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Nov 6, 2007 7:28 pm US/Central

Election Day: Schools' Future Up For Vote

Reporting
James Schugel
(WCCO) Tuesday is Election Day and 99 School districts have school levy referenda up for vote -- the highest number since 2001.
School leaders say without the money, the might have to lay off teachers.

In Anoka-Hennepin School District, administrators are talking about laying off 500 staff and closing some schools if the levy and bond referendum don't pass.

"It's the highest stakes election we've ever seen in the district," said Dennis Carlson, the Anoka-Hennepin Assistant Superintendent.

He and other administrators can't take a stance on a levy, meaning they can't "tell" people how to vote, but they can give people information about a subject.

For instance, in a recent flier the district talked about how property values go up when a home is in an "above average" district.

One parent who has children in the district did the research on their own.

He told WCCO-TV, a number of studies show how the value of a home can go up 18 percent to 20 percent when it's in an "above average" district, compared to one in a district that's below average.

"We met with the North Metro Realtors Association, they're very concerned about house prices and home values," said Carlson.

However, real estate expert, Christopher Galler, said to be careful of this research.

"It's nice that they say your home values are going to be this much higher if you pass the levy referendum, but there's no linkage whatsoever to the statement," he said.

Galler is with the Minnesota Association of Realtors.

He said someone buying a home will look at how good the school district is, but that's just one piece of the entire decision-making process.

"The biggest thing I'd worry about is that if you don't vote for a levy referendum, then the value of the homes is going to fall, and I don't think that has any relationship whatsoever," he remarked.

Galler's best advice: consider how the money will help the school, not your home when you vote.




(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.