Northfield School District Prepares for Public Information Night for Levy Referendum

It’s nearly showtime for the Northfield School District.

District officials will make their case for public support of a $334 increase in the per-student operating levy during a public information meeting Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Northfield High School.

In preparation for that event, officials conducted a dress rehearsal last week during the school board meeting. While board members commented on particulars of the presentation, its message—substantial changes in the district could be in store if additional operating levy dollars are not approved —was not altered.

On Nov. 8, district voters will be asked to revoke the district’s current $1,270 per-student operating levy and replace it the maximum possible levy under state law—$1,604 per student—for the next 10 years.

In addition, residents will vote on whether or not to renew the district’s $750,000-per-year capital project levy, which is set to expire following the 2013-14 school year.

The operating levy pays the district’s basic expenses, such as teacher salaries and utility costs. The capital levy pays for such items as construction projects and textbooks.

Proceeds from the increased operating funds, district officials say, would be used to maintain staff-to-student ratios and increase the district’s fund balance, thus helping the district maneuver through future state and federal education funding reductions.

If the levy is voted down by residents, teacher layoffs and increases in average class sizes could be in store. But the district would have another chance to receive voter approval next fall, either for a renewal of the current levy or the increased levy it seeks this year.

If the operating levy is approved in November, homeowners would pay $73 more in annual school property taxes for each $100,000 of their taxable property value. The additional dollars would be collected in tax bills starting next May.

Renewing the capital levy would not increase taxes, as it already is being collected.

Superintendent Chris Richardson said fundamental changes in how the district educates students could change if the operating levy increase is voted down, particularly after the 2013-14 school year.

According to district documents, at least 115 employees would lose their jobs and class sizes would increase by four to six students in every classroom for the 2014-15 school year if the levy is not approved.

Reductions like those would mean the district would concentrate more on providing a basic education, rather than offering programs like Advanced Placement classes and the Compañeros Spanish immersion program, Richardson said.

With about five weeks remaining before the levy referenda, district officials are preparing a number of ways to get the word out about the vote. For example, in addition to Tuesday night’s public information session, there is a 2011 Levy Election link on the district’s website that points residents to levy details, levy costs, a video overview of the issue and voter information.

WANT TO GO TO THE MEETING?
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4
WHERE:
WHO: Open to the public