Three area school districts to seek voters' approval for operating levy referenda

To raise funds to maintain smaller class sizes or to increase technology use, three school districts in the Brainerd lakes area will ask voters to support operating levy referenda this fall.

Staples-Motley School District residents will be asked to increase the district's general education revenue by $415 per pupil unit. This amount would generate $826,000 per year for six years. If the referendum passes, the state would pay 58.8 percent.

Superintendent Ken Scarbrough said the money would be used for programs and to help offset the $600,000 in cuts the district made last school year.

The Pillager School District is asking residents to support a $126 per pupil unit increase for 10 years. This amount would bring in $112,000, with half being paid by the state.

Superintendent Phil Johnson said the money would be used to maintain class size and increase technology use.

The Pequot Lakes School District is asking voters to approve an excess levy referendum of $1 per pupil unit for 10 years. Passing a levy referendum of $1 per pupil unit would give the district access to state dollars.

Superintendent Jim Oraskovich said this marginal cost operating levy would generate $1,410 from taxpayers and the district would receive an additional $84,933 in state aid.

He said, "This would go for the general operating cost, which includes staff, operating the building, supplies and programs ... No programs will be added."

Besides the three school referenda, all but five school districts in the Brainerd lakes area have school board elections. The school districts of Brainerd, Pillager, Staples/Motley, Pequot Lakes and Verndale do not have any seats up for election.

The filing period for school board offices closed Tuesday.

The school board races are:

Aitkin -- Incumbents Joy Janzen, Paul Just, Brad Nelson and Charles Wikelius filed for re-election. Others who filed are Teresa Rom, Tom Burman, Joe Klucas, Gloria Curtiss and Erica Bordwell. Four seats are up for election.

Crosby-Ironton -- Incumbents Carol Ann Hales and Mike Domin filed for re-election. Others who filed are Brad Booth and Mary Nelson. Three seats are up for election.

Little Falls -- Incumbent Susan Prosapio filed for re-election. Others who filed are Richard A. Berg, Tammy M. Jopp, Jay Spillum, Rick Vinje and Katie Harms. Three seats are up for election.

Pierz -- Incumbent Bridget Britz and Colleen Seelen, Dean Virnig and Patty Stangl filed for the three seats up for election.

Pine River-Backus -- Incumbents Clarence Young, Ed Shetka, Garny Gaffey and Tom Munson filed for re-election. Others who filed are Gary Minette, Sandra Poferl and Dawn Rubner. Four seats are up for election.

Wadena-Deer Creek -- Incumbents Larry Helmrichs and William Higgs, as well as Ann Pate filed for the three open seats.

Walker-Hackensack-Akeley -- Incumbents Dave Holk and Larry Jacobson filed for re-election. Also filing were Jim Tuller and Kent Nelson. Three seats are up for election.