Pelican Rapids prepares for referendum

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 04:53 p.m., October 30, 2009

One year after the defeat of an operating levy referendum, the Pelican Rapids School District is asking voters to reconsider.

In the year since the referendum failed by 144 votes, those in favor have picked themselves up, dusted off the disappointment and worked to communicate the reality of the situation with those in the community.

In the past year superintendent Deb Wanek said the school board has spent time asking the tough question: Why didn’t people support the levy?

A common answer among residents is that the levy wasn’t supported because it called for $1 million in funding for the next 10 years, Wanek said.

“We really wanted to listen and find out what people in the community had to say,” Wanek said. “They said it was too long of a commitment, that 10 years was too long.”

On the table for Tuesday is a referendum asking residents to support a five-year $1 million levy, which provides voters with two questions.

One question will ask voters to support a levy which would generate $900 per student. The second question, which would attach an additional $200 to the $900, could only be answered by the voter if they supported the first question. The extra $200 would provide funding specific to curriculum and technology.

If the referendum for $1,100 per student passes, a home valued at $100,000 would pay an additional $217 a year in taxes. If the referendum passes with support for $900 per student, that same home would pay $178.

Wanek said that while she understands no one may want to pay more taxes, residents within the district’s limits are paying below the state average in taxes. Currently, residents with a home valued at $100,000 pay $79 a year in education-related taxes. That’s compared to the state average of $329.

The district currently has no operating or bond levy in place — something that has become increasingly uncommon throughout the state.

For that reason, Wanek said the district has had to cut where they wouldn’t have preferred to do so.

Over the course of the last seven years, the district has cut $1.5 million from the budget. That has meant the elimination of two industrial arts classes and a number of staff cuts.

Extracurricular programs, including gymnastics, have also been eliminated.

Each Pelican Rapids classroom currently caters to roughly 25 students — numbers that will go up if the levy fails, Wanek said.

“That will change dramatically if we aren’t able to pass this levy,” she said.

All day, everyday kindergarten was also something the district lost due to cuts. While fundraising efforts from the community allowed the program to run last year, Wanek says it’s not something she expects the community to do every year.

Community fundraising efforts last year also allowed the district to hire a part time math and English teacher, as well.

Those are the types of issues Wanek and board members have discussed with community members through visits with service groups, churches and public meetings.

“We’ve tried to hit as many places we can to make sure we understand the impact of what this levy means for us,” Wanek said.

Polls will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Pelican Rapids High School.

Area wrap-up

Perham

The Perham School District is asking residents to support a three year operating levy, which could generate an additional $500,000 each year.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Perham Community Center.

Rothsay

Rothsay residents will go to the polls for school board elections. Though three spots are open, two residents, both current school board members, are choosing to run.

Polls will be open in Rothsay from 4 to 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

Ashby

Residents will have the opportunity to put their vote either in favor or not of a five year $317,000 operating levy, which would generate an additional $1,400 per pupil.

The district currently does not have an operating levy in place.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the schools’ auditorium.

Pelican Rapids

In Pelican Rapids, a $1 million levy referendum will appear on voter’s ballots. The operating levy would generate $1,100 per pupil. The district does not have an existing operating levy.

Polls will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Pelican Rapids High School.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---