With the Brainerd School District levy referendum vote less than six weeks away, a volunteer committee has been formed to help grow community support for the vote.
Randy Klinger, chief executive officer for the Brainerd Family YMCA, said Thursday he has agreed to serve as co-chair of the Vote Yes Yes Citizens’ Committee. Miranda Anderson, Essentia Health marketing director, is serving as committee co-chair, he said.
Klinger said the group is in the early planning stages of developing a plan to inform voters about the upcoming levy. He said the core group of volunteers represents all segments of the community.
“We researched other school districts that have experienced successful levies and we’re formulating best practices on a communication plan for voters in our district, so they can make an informed decision with the upcoming levy,” Klinger said.
The district is asking voters in the Nov. 8 general election to support two levy referendum questions. The first question asks for a renewal of the district’s expiring $199.24 per pupil operating levy. The second question asks for an additional $200 per pupil.
The Vote Yes Yes committee is a separate entity from the school district.
The district itself is also planning ways to get the word out. Superintendent Steve Razidlo said at Thursday’s school board meeting that the input he and other administrators are getting from staff and community members is that more information needs to be provided to the public about the referendum.
As a result, the district will host three informational sessions. The sessions are tentatively planned for 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Forestview Middle School in Baxter, Oct. 27 at Brainerd High School and Nov. 1 at Nisswa Elementary School.
Razidlo said the district is also in the process of developing an informational website about the levy, which will include a question and answer section. In addition, school staffers are developing information to be released soon on what passage and failure of both levy questions could mean for the future of the district.
Razidlo told board members that he was asked by the League of Women Voters Brainerd Lakes Area if the school district would participate in a forum about the upcoming levy vote. Razidlo said he wanted board members’ thoughts on participating in a forum. Typically, forums are for candidate debates.
Board member Chris Robinson said he was concerned that a forum format would appear to turn into a debate with advocacy made by the district. This could cross some legal boundaries. Robinson said he could support more of an informational session, but not a debate-style format. Razidlo said he would find out more information about the intent of the League of Women Voters request.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
Comments (43)
Add commentZero...
Nice try johng. There is many that support a yes vote. The difference is those that support the vote do not sit in front of the computer 24/7 and post stupid $h!t like you.
We vote, yes, yes
no
no
Yes, John, I can.
Here's just a few, John; schools in Pillager, Pine River, Pequot Lakes, Crosby-Ironton, Staples, Brainerd, Little Falls. It is just as wrong for you to lump all public education into one category as it is for others to lump you into a group as done above. Both attitudes are arrogant and disrespectful. No one can guarantee their opinion is right -- that's why they call them opinions. Think what you will. Public teachers have the ability to protect, educate and love their students. Some more than others? Of course. They're human. They're just doing their jobs. Being a teacher in a private school does not make you a perfect teacher nor endow you with with more love.
public verses private
I sent my daughter to a private school because she was being bullied and the school punished the girl who stuck up for her. They called it zero tolerence. Times have changed and the teachers have had to deal with the lack of parental guidence. I don't have any children attending school but I will have a grandson who will. The children are our future and we need to make sure that the are educated. This will cost everybody. We can either pay now or pay later. The teachers need to be held accountable to their students learning what is being taught not just giving them assignments and a deadline to finish it. Teaching is an art form of connecting with their students and not just anybody can do it. The teachers union should be dissolved so poor teachers can fired and hire ones with the passion to teach. Good teachers can change a students life as can good parents. It all starts at home but needs to continue at school. I will pay for my future and my grandsons but changes need to be made.
Since Jon brought up the teachers union...
I was wondering what benefits do the teachers union bring to the school district, not the teachers but the school district?
Unions
give hope to teachers and other employees that they just might get to retire some day with an income above the poverty level.
Unions for 'lifelong resident'
The teachers union functions as the negotiating agent for the teachers. That's the thing that is so obvious to the public. But that's not all.
The teachers union -- as do may unions -- play a BIG part in seeing that the members have been trained and licensed.
The unions are part of designing the licensing requirements required by the state and other organizations. Training, whether in the colleges or 'on the job' is advocated and supported by the union. Local union officers often work with the administration in many areas, from building schedules, developing mentor programs (especially teacher to teacher), and yes (I've seen this) working with struggling teachers to get them on a better road of teaching or help them out the door.
On a local level, the teachers union functions as a line of communication between many - the administration, parents, and students, to name a few. Local teacher unions will often donate money (from the dues collected) to student scholarships - to the UNITED WAY, to other such groups. They encourage and help students to enter the education field -- on a personal level and through support with the scholarship programs I mentioned.
That's just some quick thoughts.
For johngalt
I don't know if such stuff goes on any more or not - it probably does, in both public and private schools .... but to repeat my comment above, John, it is unfair to lump all the schools into one group. For every testicle punched, there are Eagle scouts, students who volunteer for the Big Brother program or at the hospital --- kids who work in their churches.... kids who get all their homework done with good results... I believe bad things can happen everywhere -- as can good things.... and I also believe people in general do their best. I also believe public schools do the best they can with what they're given - whether its funds, teaching staffs (of good and bad teachers) - and community support (or lack of it.) Know what? That goes for private schools as well.
Teachers
are payed well above the poverty line now. Who are you trying to kid, others or yourself? As for yes or no, I have heard from a number of people that it is running 3 to 1 against. Since I've seen no polls to compare it to, I do not take it as gospel. However, with Dayton and Obama trying to "tax the rich" to balance their budgets, even though the "rich" are already carrying most of the burden to begin with, I will be voting no. I do not live in Crow Wing but I own a summer home in the 181 district and I see no reason to add to my financial burden.
"payed" above the poverty line
They should be paid above the poverty line ($22,500 for a family of four).
And most contribute across the US up to 15% into pensions for their own retirement.
What is the starting salary and average salary for District 181 teachers? Anyone know?
rich: I stated their retirement income should be above the poverty line...their pension etc. However, that poverty guideline is very low. How many couples could survive at retirement on $22,500?
lake
Minnesota is tenth on our comfort scale with starting salaries of $31,532 average salaries of $48,489. It's an affordable state to live in and has a reputation for being "Minnesota Nice". Additionally, this state is an outdoor enthusiast's dream with year round activities such as snow-mobiling and fishing. Plus, Minnesota summers are perfect - and you'll have them all to yourself on a teacher's schedule.
http://teacherportal.com/salary/Minnesota-teacher-salary
lake
I've posted this twice but for some reason the Dispatch will not let me do it. According to teacherportal.com, the starting salary of teachers is $31,532, and the average wage is $48,489! I would think this would qualify as above poverty.
Public private
Your guess is as good as mine, John.... I'm guessing some go private, some go public. Its not all or nothing.
I tried to find a copy of the Brainerd teacher contract online...couldn't find the actual document ...but found this... (http://extra.twincities.com/car/schlsalaries/default.aspx)
Highest Brainerd teacher pay; 66, 411, lowest at 34,459.... this is full time teachers. That highest pay is based on 30 + years of experience AND a masters degree. The lowest is no experience with a bachelor's degree. These numbers may include extra pay for extra curricular assignments (coaching, advising a club, etc). Its not poverty - its what we call good old fashioned white collar pay for a college degree - some college degrees earn more, some less.
Retirement income above poverty guidelines
I refered to them having a retirement income about poverty, not a working income above poverty.
Those incomes sound just dandy. Supplementing with summer employment and taking classes must keep them busy. Wonder why people aren't flocking to those careers?
Costco pays $22 an hour after a few years? That is $45,760.
no,no,no!
with the homestead credit eliminated for next year we have no clue what our property taxes will be! the 181 board knows this and wants to sneek this through before we find out in jan or feb when the county mails the "estimated taxes" letter for 2012. look at the building full of paper pushers and abministrators,some cuts woul save a bundle. just vote NO!
Moonhawk
Do you believe that little blue men live in your closet too? Everything is a conspiracy in your eyes. I feel sorry for you.....kidding....no I don't.
ntb club
some must be charter menbers of the NTB club. the NEW property tax system will also tax business more-smart move in an area with record unemployment! only the teachers gunion will get more!
Drool Boy
"I do not live in Crow Wing but I own a summer home in the 181 district and I see no reason to add to my financial burden."
Why don't you start by getting educated. Referendums do not impact non homesteaded properties. Example, lake cabins. People like you need to take a civics class and get informed or maybe you are just 2nd grader impersonating an adult.
MN L'user
You sure have a lot of built up hate for those you don't agree with. And while I understand that is the way it is for liberals, I don't think anyone needs to pass their comments by your little mind. RRpd, I think you may not be affected but you might want to contact the school, instead of some pea brained poster, for verification. But remember that as long as you own property, you have every right to question how your propert tax might be changed.
here you are again
Pdnet, aren't you saying hateful things yourself to those you don't agree with? Pot meet kettle...
This is very sad.
When I was in elementary school 40 years ago, the sixth grade boys would chase the younger boys down for crotch shots. The teachers found out and it was stopped, at least at school. So this is nothing new it goes on everywhere and has for all history. Why, I don't know but it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that many of you do not feel our children are worth more then $199.00. Some of you do not even feel they are worth that. A no, no vote will mean ZERO, NOTA, NONE, will be spent on our children. A yes, no vote will mean they are only worth $199.00. A yes, yes vote will mean they are worth what 299.00 or $399.00. It will cost YOU about $10.00 more if your house is worth less then $100,000 and $20.00 if your house is worth less then $200,000. Is any child not worth $20.00? What will it cost you to keep an inmate in jail? Keep someone in rehab? What will you have to pay to keep our next generation on government assistant. They will all grow up and have children whether they have an education or not.
you just stated a major problem stuckhere
"What will it cost you to keep an inmate in jail? Keep someone in rehab? What will you have to pay to keep our next generation on government assistant. They will all grow up and have children whether they have an education or not."
We cater to the worthless and the criminals. The libs say its about human rights, well what about mine as a tax payer. Give all my taxes to the children, not criminals.
With that said, the school district already gets enough of my money. Its called cuts to salary, benefits, etc. We all have had to do it, its your turn teachers.
If you are in teaching for the wages, retirement, benefits, get out, I dont want you teaching my kids. You are about yourself and not the children.
teaching
How insane is it to see how low wages can go for teachers to prove they care about teaching and children. Try that in corporate America!
As the teachers stampede
the private sector to seek greener pastures, they will find out that the grass was truly greener from where they came from.
Budgeting.
Why is it that one person can get more out of a dollar than another? Could it be that one makes wiser decisions with that dollar than the other?
myeye
You answered your own question. LOL!
The value for the dollar
What can you get for 10.00 if you own a 100,000 home these days. Ten bucks might get you a cheap coffee maker or 2 sub sandwiches. A 200,000 home, 20 twenty clams. What can you get??? maybe a case of beer. And folks are worried about the YES YES. 10-20 dollars on a kids future to help them prepare for the road ahead. Yikes, I'll stay home on a Friday night or eat a little less to make sure our district is funded.
"...try to turn teaching into
"...try to turn teaching into a farm-labor-wage job?"
Obviously being a farmer/laborer is a, horrible, underpaid job.
So, illustrious member of the DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor) Party...what have you done for them since you adopted that name?
It's great that they have you on their side! LOL!
Reverse the model
If more staff is needed in the classroom, throw out the current model of cutting from lower level and start making cuts at the higher level. In other words... The day has come, due to the economy, needs are for more foot soldiers over officers to win the battle.
Randy
Remember Randy, as my taxes go up my disposable income goes down. As my disposable income goes down, the first thing I'll cut is my yearly donations to the YMCA and my family membership to the Y. Ah yes....the laws of unintended consequences. Becareful what you advocate for.