08-12-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The 1993 bond provided, jim«*iig others: new media centers at b«»th primary schtH>ls and retiuxlclcd media centers at (Jrandview and the high schind; a new cal'clena at Hilltop; a major inlliix ttl teehnology. including a computer in every classroom, communications inirastructure (Internet and e-mail access, and voicemail capabilities); remmleled classriHHiis at the high schind; and additional major remodeling projects at all sch*H»l buildings, ranging from new window s to upgrades of electrical aiul fire sprinkler systems. The 1995 operatine levy provides approxitnatcly $1 million of operating funds per year. Its renewal in 2tM)5 will provide continued basic tunding lor day-to- day operations. The 1999 uperiilint; levy allowed the scI uh)I district to collect the full amount of revenue, up to the cap. that had been authorized by voters in l'W5. The Board's intention in I9 ‘W was ti» combine the IW.'^ and Ilevies into one renewal date in 200.S. The 2001 mainlenance and leehnology b«md was designed as a five-vear bond, with a list of projects to be completed over those five years. In 2(K)6. a new set of prttjects that caniun be completed witlumt additional funding will be presented to voters fi)r another five-year b»>nd request. Tliis approach was recommended by a citizen-stall advisory c»»mmiltee and fi)llows the financial principles adopted by the .Sch»H>l Board in 1999. which call lor a five-year btmding cycle to fund regular facilities and grounds maintenance. Citizens can monitor pn»gress on bond project c»)mpletit»n by visiting the District Web site at WWW westonka.k12.mn.us. 7. Why is ths vots schsdulstf for Primary Eloction Day? The law permits selun>l districts that are in statutory o|K*rating debt (like Weslonka) to hold levy relerendum elections outside of the General Election Day. Primary Election Day was the earliest a vote could be scheduled. The School Board believes that by holding the referendum election on Primary Election Day, the SclnH>l District will be able to communicate the reasons for ihe levy request more clearly than if it were to compete with the hundreds of non-kKal election messages that precede General Election Day. Questions? Please call 952.4918443 or e-mail welisten&westonka.k12.mnMS 8. Whan would tha now taxas ba laviad? 'I he new referendum would affect pro(vrty taxes payable beginning in 2()03. It would begin providing funds for the 2(K)3-2(M)4 scI uhiI year. 9. EThy doas tha ballot say $S70 par pupil? The ballot indicates the maximum amount «*f additional d«»llars per pupil that the .ScI hh)I District could collect </iin>i,e the tenth itml ftnul yenr of the levy. The b;illot language allows the local levy to be tied to state funding for a ten-year period, saving the cost of running an election every time state lur.ding changes. (See Question for othlitionul infornuition.) Here’s how it works: State law limits the amount of money a school district can collect through a liKiil o|x,*rating levy. The local levy "cap" is tied to per-pupil tunding from the state. When state funding increases, the levy cap increases, as well. During the first year of the levy, the SchiHil District will have permission to collect up to the first-year levy cap of $274 per stiulent. I•;lch year after th;it. as state funding increases, the levy cap w ill increase in direct pro|iortion to the state funding increase, giving the ScluH)l District pemtission to collect more than the previous year. Increases in levy revenue aa* not automatic, however. Everv vear. the School Board reviews the budget at a public meeting, and determines the levy amount, according to state law. to collect the following year. The graph «mi Appendix C shows bow much the ScluH)l District would have permission t«> c«>llect. year by year, over the ten-year period. The graph show s that the levy cap would gradually rise as state funding increases, to a maximum i»f S.^vVO per pupil. The ballot question reflects that maximum, final-year levy amount of $570. However, if state funding increases are less than expected, the Schwl District will have ivrmission to collect only up to a lower levy cap. Regardless of what Ihe Legislature does w ith education funding, the School District will have permis.siun to collect only the amount of local levy allowed by law. i M \ 1 J