South Washington County Schools Election: Referendum Questions

While there are no city elections in Woodbury this year, Tuesday, Nov. 7 is an important day for South Washington County Schools. The District 833 School Board has five seats open for election. Board members Tracy Brunnette, Katy McElwee-Stevens, Katie Schwartz and Sharon Van Leer currently fill these seats. Another seat is vacant and will have a two-year term that will begin immediately following the Nov. 7 Election and run through December 2019.

District 833, which covers an estimated 84 square miles southeast of Saint Paul, includes communities in Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury, and Afton, Denmark and Grey Cloud Island Townships.

The total population of the district is approximately 98,100 people. More than 18,000 students from the area attend district schools.

In addition to the school board member elections, District 833 residents will vote on three separate referendum questions that will affect property taxes and the funding of the area schools. Here's how those questions will appear on the ballot:

Question one:

Renewal of School District Expiring Referendum Revenue Authorization

The Board of Independent School District No. 833 (South Washington County Schools), Minnesota has proposed to renew the existing property tax referendum authorization of $780.72 per pupil that is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2017. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2017 for taxes payable in 2018 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.

Shall the renewal of the expiring property tax referendum proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 833 (South Washington County Schools) be approved?

BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING TO EXTEND AN EXISTING PROPERTY TAX REFERENDUM THAT IS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE

According to the school district, renewal of this levy would allow the district to maintain the current level of educational services. The referendum has been in place for 20 years and would result in no tax increase. Without the passage of question one, district officials say they would have $15 million in budget adjustments.

Question two:

Approval of Additional Referendum Revenue Authorization

The Board of Independent School District No. 833 (South Washington County Schools), Minnesota has proposed to increase its referendum revenue authorization by an additional $375 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2017 for taxes payable in 2018 and applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.

Shall the additional increase in revenue proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 833 (South Washington County Schools), Minnesota be approved?

BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

Approval of question two would increase the general fund of the district by $7.5 million.

Question three:

Approval of Technology Capital Project Levy Authorization

The Board of Independent School District No. 833 (South Washington County Schools), Minnesota has proposed a capital project levy for the acquisition and installation of improved instructional technology, technology systems, and technology support staffing. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $2,000,000 for taxes payable in 2018, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $20,000,000, or 1.820% times the net tax capacity of the school district.

Shall the capital project levy proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 833 (South Washington County Schools), Minnesota be approved?

BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

The passage of question three would allow for a $2 million levy annually for the next 10 years.

Helpful links

View a sample of your ballot here.

For more information on the District 833 election, visit the district website.

Moved recently? In Minnesota you, can register to vote online.

Image: Patch