Soon, the Brainerd School Board will have to make a decision as to whether it will ask district residents to support an operating levy referendum. The district’s current local levy revenue of $199 per pupil unit expires at the end of the 2011-12 school year. The deadline to decide on whether to go to the polls is Aug. 26.
When that levy expires the district will see a $2 million decrease in revenues which would mean that without a replacement levy of some kind $2 million would have to be cut from its budget.
While we don’t know what the school board will do it seems almost inconceivable that some sort of operating levy will not be sought. The difficult task before the board is to balance the needs of the school district with the willingness of the taxpayers to support their schools. Superintendent Steve Razidlo recently noted that 90 percent of the state’s school districts have an operating levy and that local levies are on average 14 percent of a district’s total funding while Brainerd’s current levy is 3 percent of the district’s total funding.
We think there’ll be a levy referendum and that its successful passage will require a considerable effort from its proponents. The common scenario when school levy referendums fail is that there is no organized effort to defeat it. Often school boards are left wondering why a levy question failed.
Critics of an operating levy referendum — and there will be critics — would do us all a service if they would clearly articulate their objections. Chances to voice objections, opinions or support can be found at any of the district’s four listening sessions, the first of which is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Brainerd High School. More opportunities will be available if the school district decides to take a levy referendum to the voters.
There’s no telling what voters will do at the polls but we certainly don’t want a possible levy referendum to fail because of apathy or lack of information.
Comments (16)
Add commentCredit card mentality
Now that one credit card is nearing a zero balance(operational levy), the other still far from being paid off(retirement levy), is it time to open another credit card or pay down the other? This could be a good question for the Economics Department of the school district.
another idea
Using the Democrat model of taxing the wealthy as the solution to balance budgets of Minnesota and the Nation, why not tax the area wealthy, local property values and incomes over $250,000.00, to make up the shortfall of state funds and balance the school district budget ?
That would be great, senior
That would be great, senior citizens (myself) live in a place
for many years and are now getting taxed out of their home.
I would like to see a sincere effort on all school employees
to share the burden as they like to say.
Take a cut in pay and pay more in for benefits then we won't
have to lay off teachers etc.
That would be for the kids.
That phrase has been so overused through the years that
some people are getting suspious.
Also, people didn't like the forced levy for retirement pay .
Who is sharing the burden?
Huh !?!?!?
"The common scenario when school levy referendums fail is that there is no organized effort to defeat it."
Sounds like referendums are doomed whether the opposition is organized or not !!
I vote yes
I vote yes
Blame the state legislature, particularly republicans....
Any needed reforms at the local end dwarf the real problem. MN's schools were promised a level of state support through state revenue that has been cut and postponed multiple times.
The direct analogy would be if a buyer of a personal product you sell simply starts paying you less than they agreed to--and you still have to keep selling the same product to them!
Something has to give.
The state legislature's actions has insured that we will continue to deal with local property tax increases and school referendums for another few years, at minimum.
And republicans will brag about not raising taxes--even on millionaires--the whole time....
State legislature
The money well has run dry at the federal, state and local
level. Wake up folks.
Millionaires who inherit their money and don't earn it pay
taxes on interest, dividends, and other ways. Some
have foundations that hide money. Raising the tax code
will do nothing as that is not how they pay taxes.
If you would suggest a flat tax now that would be fair
and then the people who pay no taxes would have some
skin in the game even though it would be a small amount.
I am bored with the same old lines like : tax the rich,
pay your fair share, it's for the children, working people.
The situation has changed and it is time to look at the problem
with a different lens.
just say NO!
they gave 2 years of raises last year,now they want another they already have the new 13 year tax at 15% referendum so they can give the union more money after it passes! dumb! they already have the 13 year tax we were not allowed to vote on and that is 15% how much is enough? highest unemployment in the state,empty houses everywhere,on no jobs in the future! JUST SAY NO!
If everyone actually paid
If everyone actually paid what they owe in taxes the Federal/State would have more money. Why does Government constantly allow people who owe backtaxes a reduced amount to pay. Everyone/Business needs to pay what they owe including penalties - No more reducing the amount just because the person hires an attorney.
We also have to many people receiving money from the State & Government who do not need it or receiving too much.
All taxpayers pay the same percentages (per income) of taxes no matter where they live. We do not pay less then someone who makes the same amount who lives in anywhere else (just because we live in Brainerd or a different small town -vs- Minneapolis/ St. Paul areas). Each child in Minnesota should receive the same amount of of funding - No matter where they go to school.
The school's fund should be the last thing the State of Minnesota should cut.
The State of Minnesota can not afford it so they are pushing it off to the communities - If the know they can not squeeze more money out of us - how do they expect the local communities are suppose to. We are getting taxed to poverty. But we must have money for the schools (children - future).
I'M VOTING YES TO THE FUTURE.
I'M VOTING YES TO THE FUTURE. A no vote shows an uneducated community that supports jails and welfare. Empty houses? Wait till they're CRACK houses. Whos gonna pay when EVERYONE'S ON WELFARE?
Such silliness. Do what
Such silliness. Do what Pequot 186 does. Every couple years they put out a one page demand for $30 million or so to cover the cost of more stuff and the lemmings up here go for it because the BDD blindly and obediently endorses it. "it's for the kids and the future of the lakes area. Hardee, har,har."Pony up, suckas".
Taxation without representation
I have the honor of paying taxes but not the honor of voting on any tax increase. I own a home in Baxter, pay non-homestead rates..which went up 10% last year while the taxable value of the home went down 10%..but since I dont live in the district I cant vote. Now to me thats taxation without representation. So if the voters in the district vote in a levy increase I will pay more after having NO say. Nice..tell me how that is "American"? Guess I can just raise the rent to offset the tax increase..but thats just less money that family has each month for food. But hey, the school district can hire more administrators and bean counters, so that should make us all feel warm and fuzzy.
Come to think of it, since MN doesnt have "Voter ID" I should just breeze into town and....just kidding. Would never do that. Im sure NOBODY ever does that. lol
tork 747 .... then where?
If you live in Minnesota, you live in SOME school district somewhere....so where do your school taxes go? Its either Pillager or wherever you have a homesteaded residence, so either way, you have SOMEWHERE to pay school taxes. You have every privilege to own property wherever you wish, but that doesn't give you the privilege to vote in every place you own property. To add to your facetious comment about voter ID, then maybe you're one of those rich who could afford to pay the tax raise anyway.
tork 747 .... then where?
If you live in Minnesota, you live in SOME school district somewhere....so where do your school taxes go? Its either Pillager or wherever you have a homesteaded residence, so either way, you have SOMEWHERE to pay school taxes. You have every privilege to own property wherever you wish, but that doesn't give you the privilege to vote in every place you own property. To add to your facetious comment about voter ID, then maybe you're one of those rich who could afford to pay the tax raise anyway.
Ignorant
With all due respect, I am sick of the seniors saying they are being taxed out of their homes. My property taxes have went WAY down the past two years. If you can't afford a home, don't buy one. If you can't afford to invest $10.00 A YEAR for better education on a $100,000 home, thats total crap. What does that equal a day?? Pennies?????? I am ashamed to live in a community where there is such hatred for schools and teachers. And some of the people sitting at home unemployed, or just lazy in front of the tv should volunteer in a school and then you might have some education on what teachers actually do for your kids everyday. Teachers not only teach but give love and acceptance to many students who don't get that at home. School is a safe haven and a meal for many kids who aren't getting it at home. You can't afford $10.00 a year???? Stop buying alcohol or cigarettes or that morning coffee. This community is really sad or just plain ignorant to our kids.