08-12-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• AcciaimMi tcbools. Grundview Middle School and Mound Westonka High Schtx>l were nominated by the State of Minnesota for the Blue Ribbon Sch(X)l of Excellence Award, the highest national recognition possible. • National racoflnitlon. The Westonka Sch(H>l District has earned the “What Parents Want ” award from Sch(X)IMatch. a national school research, performance auditing, and consulting firm, ever)' year since the award's inception. •Talantad ataft. Westonka can boast of the 2000 Minnesota Music Educators As.sociation Teacher of the Year (Mary Gorder). and the 2(X)I Principal of the Year, representing more than 2.S0 sch«H)ls in Hennepin and Carver Counties (Gene Zulk). • Qrowing poaHiva raputation. In a recent survey of area realtors who attended Westonka’s annual “Realtors Day" workshop. 100^ of the respondents said the Westonka Public Schools provide a high quality education. said the District is developing a more positive reputation, compared to previous years. 8.1'X said they consider the Westonka Schotils an asset when they list a home in the area. A Fall 2(XX) survey found that 869r of Westonka residents agree that “high quality public schtH)ls increa.se property values for homeowners in the district." 21. DMn*l tiM stat« tak« ov«r tiw eosk of oducotlon so n would corns off ptopsrty IohosT H sOi why is tho school district going to voters for on oporating lovyT Education funding is designed to be a share between local ta.\paycrs and the state. In the past, general education aid was made up of a mi.x of state and local property tax money. The property tax reform legislation of 2(K)I shifted the cost of basic education aid to tbe state. For many years, the Minnesota Legislature has sought to maintain or increase basic funding for schixils. Legislators have been highly successful in ensuring that public education funding has been spared from state budget cuts. Westonka's local legislators. Sen. Gen Olson and Rep. Steve Smith, have been vocal advtK'ates of fair funding for public schixils. Sen. Olson and Rep. Smith have advised, however, that basic funding from the state is not intended to cover all the costs of providing public education. LiK-al levy referendums allow taxpayers to support programs that raise the bar from a “basic” education to one that is 'ruly outstanding, including art and music, co-curricular programs. Advanced Placement classes, and a wide range of high schtxil electives. Rep. Alice Seagmn. chair of the Minnesota House K-12 Education Finance Committee, described the relationship between tax reform and funding for public .schixils as follows (as published in the Star Tribune. 11/4/01): “IPIroperty nat'.v //iuve Iwamel more purely local /arev.... makiny ihe sysleni simpler ami more accountable. Umil communities will he responsible for decisions alumt their property taxes and the level of sers'ices they expect from their cities, counties and public schools. So, for o community that wants increased funding for its scluwls, residents have the option of raising that money at the sclutol district level, within limits set by the legislature. ” Questions? Please call 952.491.8443 or e-tnail welisten^westonka.ki2.mn.us 8 aukiia.