REFERENDUM November 6 2007 Robbinsdale Area Schools www.rdale.k12.mn.us
Referendum Question The Robbinsdale Area School Board is submitting for voter approval a referendum that would replace the current referendum authority of $13.1 million per year ($848.25 per student) with a referendum authority of $22.8 million ($1,472.83 per student). The proposed referendum increase is $9.7 million, which will increase the district s per student funding by $624.58, bringing the district's levy in line with neighboring school districts. Referendum revenue would also be increased annually by the rate of inflation for the 10-year term of the levy. Vote November 6, 2007 Referendum Goals 1. Reduce and maintain class size 2. Sustain current school programs 3. Maintain our standing as a district of excellence 4. Support our nationally recognized fine arts programs 5. Support valuable extra-curricular activities 6. Keep technology current Impact of 2001 referendum: Quality programming from a quality school district Over the past 6 years, the voter-approved 2001 referendum has, in part, provided additional revenue to allow the district to: Maintain reasonable class sizes Strengthen and expand rigorous course options Increase the number of students taking more rigorous courses Implement transition programs for students entering 9th grade Implement a technology plan Continue emphasis on award-winning arts and comprehensive community education programs Taxable Market Value Tax Impact for Property Owners (For school referendum only) Revoked Authority ($848/pupil) Proposed Referendum ($1472/per pupil) Annual Tax Increase Monthly Tax Increase $100,000 -$ 118 $ 215 $ 97 $ 8 120,000-142 258 116 10 140,000-165 302 137 11 160,000-189 345 156 13 180,000-212 388 176 15 200,000-236 431 195 16 220,000-260 474 214 18 250,000-295 538 243 20 300,000-354 646 292 24 350,000-413 754 341 28 400,000-472 862 390 33 500,000-590 1,077 487 41 750,000-885 1,615 730 61 1,000,000-1,181 2,154 973 81
Challenges Challenges, Choices State and federal funding shortfalls Despite wonderful support from our community, the district faces financial realities. Since 1991, funding increases from the state of Minnesota have lagged behind inflation; the shortfall for Robbinsdale Area Schools in the 2005-06 school year is $10 million. In addition, the state reduced its funding for special education resulting in shortfalls that were paid for from the school district's general fund. In 2004-05, Robbinsdale Area Schools' special education shortfall was $7.3 million. Choices: Increase revenue or reduce expenses* Increase revenue: If the referendum is approved, we will Reduce and maintain class size Reduce class size at both secondary and elementary. Class sizes were increased in 2007 following $4.5 million in budget reductions. Sustain current school programs Sustain programs in academics, the arts and athletics listed below as cuts. Maintain our standing as a district of excellence Challenge more students to take rigorous course offerings for better post-secondary preparation. Support our nationally recognized fine arts programs Maintain arts programs proposed for elimination at the elementary schools. Support valuable extra-curricular activities Maintain extra-curricular activities and athletics with affordable fees. Keep technology current Implement all or portions of the 5-year technology plan. Reduce expenses: If the referendum is not approved Cuts Schools face another $5 million in cuts in 2008-09 Close an elementary school and redraw boundaries Eliminate elementary art (Cut 5 art teachers) Eliminate elementary gifted and talented program (Cut 3 teachers) Increase elementary class size or pair schools (Cut 11 teachers) Increase secondary class size (Cut 17 teachers) Eliminate middle school activities and athletics Increase fees for high school activities and athletics & reduce options Eliminate 8 additional positions at elementary and secondary Eliminate positions: support staff, transportation and administrative The complete list is at www.rdale.k12.mn.us; click Referendum Information Schools face another $4 million in cuts in 2009-10 Specific cuts have not been identified These cuts are in addition to the $4.5 million in cuts made for the 2007-08 school year. *The school board will take final action, depending on the outcome of the referendum, in Jan. 2008.
Financial data How do we compare? Referendum Funding Per Pupil, 2007 St. Louis Park Hopkins Edina* Wayzata Eden Prairie Richfield Bloomington* Robbinsdale* Osseo* Anoka Hennepin* Minneapolis Brooklyn Center* $1,561 $1,552 $1,505 $1,444 $1,200 $1,100 $991 $848 $842 $696 $535 $337 $0 $200 $300 $600 $800 $1,000 $1,200 $1,400 $1,600 *Neighboring districts pursuing a referendum this year. Nearly one-third of districts in the state are pursuing referenda. General fund revenue and expenditures 2007-08 Federal Aids 5% Local Taxes 12% Sales and Other 4% State Aids 79% Purchased Services 19% Benefits 17% Supplies 3% Capital & Other 1% Salaries 60% Revenue: $132.9 million Expenditures: $134.4 million The district s fund balance, or savings account, will supply the $1.5 million shortfall, leaving the fund balance at the end of this school year at an estimated $3.5 million. The school board has determined that a fund balance of $3.5 million is too low to provide future revenue. The school district s budgets are available on the district web site at www.rdale.k12.mn.us, click the Finance link under the District menu. Copies are available by calling 763-504-8038. District information General Fund Employee Profile Teachers 899 54% Education Assistants 335 20% Custodians/Bus Drivers 193 11% Clerks/Support Staff 168 10% Supervisors 43 3% Administrators/Principals 33 2% District Profile Full Time Equivalent Employees 1,671 K-12 Enrollment 12,673 K-12 schools 17 Learning centers 10 Population 100,852 Size 30 Square Miles
Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is an operating referendum? A. With voter approval, an operating referendum gives local school boards authority to levy property taxes for basic education. About 90 percent of Minnesota school districts, including all metro districts, receive local referendum funding. Approximately a third of Minnesota school districts are asking voters to consider an increase in operating levies this fall. Q. What is the current levy and how much is the proposed increase? A. The current levy is $13.1 million; the additional proposed levy is $9.7 million. The combined annual total would be $22.8 million, or $228 million over 10 years. An inflationary factor is included in the proposal. Q. How much will the levy cost me? A. For the average priced home ($240,000) it will cost approximately $19 per month, or $234 per year. This is in addition to the current levy. Q. What will happen if the referendum is approved by voters? A. The district will be able to reduce class sizes and maintain quality programs for all students. Q. What will happen if the referendum is not approved? A. The district will be forced to cut $5.0 million and $4.0 million for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years respectively. The district has already cut $4.5 million for the current school year, including an increase in class sizes for the first time since the mid-1990s. Q. Why is the district seeking additional revenue through the referendum? A. The district s fund balance (savings account) is eroding due to years of underfunding by the state and federal governments. State funding has not kept pace with inflation this decade, while district expenses continue to escalate. The district has reduced costs by selling surplus facilities and reducing staff as enrollment declines. Q. Isn t state funding increasing? A. State general formula funding was increased for 2007-08 by 2 percent, and for 2008-09 by 1 percent. The state also provided more dollars for funding special education to ease the burden on school districts general fund budget. (For the Robbinsdale district, the state provided $2.9 million, but the cost of special education to the district general fund is more than $7 million.) It s not enough to keep up with the increasing costs faced by school districts across the metro area and state. The state recognizes that it cannot keep up with schools funding needs, so it has increased the maximum limit that schools can levy local taxpayers. Q. How does Robbinsdale Area Schools funding compare to other school districts? A. Robbinsdale ranks 8th in property tax revenue collected in comparison with our neighboring school districts, with most nearby districts collecting approximately $600 more per student. Districts such as Osseo and Anoka-Hennepin, which collect about the same property tax revenue as the Robbinsdale district, are also pursuing levy increases this fall. Q. How do residents without K-12 kids benefit? A. When asked, local Realtor Kath Hammerseng said, Families move to the Robbinsdale district for the nationally recognized arts programs. An area that attracts families helps keep property values high and the economy strong. Homeowners, home sellers and home buyers should consider the impact that increased revenue or reduced budgets will have to Robbinsdale Area Schools and to the communities within the district. Q. What s the difference between a bond election and an operating levy referendum? A. Robbinsdale Area Schools voters are asked to consider an operating levy referendum which supports additional funding of day-to-day operating expenses. Capital or bond levy funds can only be used for maintaining, improving or building new schools or related school district facilities. Q. Isn t the district top heavy? Why don t you cut administrators? A. Robbinsdale Area Schools is not top heavy, though this is a common misconception. In fact, in 2005, the school district was fourth lowest in administrative expense among school districts in Hennepin County. Since then the district has further reduced administrative expense by $260,000. Q. Have voters supported referendum elections in the past? A. Voters in the Robbinsdale Area Schools district have approved every request for an increased operating levy, most recently in 2001. Two capital levy referenda for reconstruction of aging schools were defeated in the 1990s. Information: 763-504-8000 www.rdale.k12.mn.us
Sample Ballot Management of Expenses Robbinsdale Area Schools has kept a firm handle on the expenses it can control in order to delay budget reductions and delay seeking new revenue. The community helped the district prioritize major restructuring of facilities and programs to more effectively and efficiently deliver services. In the past seven years, the operating budget has been reduced by $7.3 million; district administration has been reduced by $260,000 in the last two years. Surplus buildings have been sold and an elementary school closed resulting in decreased operating expenses. Capital revenue from the sale of facilities (which cannot be used for operations) is being reinvested in renovation projects such as at Plymouth Middle School. Meanwhile, energy and human resources expenses continue to rise. As the fund balance was drawn down, it became clear that revenue would need to be increased in order to maintain current programs and class sizes. Don't have kids in school? The school board has determined that district residents of all ages benefit when schools are strong. In addition to developing caring, creative and productive children, your public schools serve as community meeting places, offer basic education and lifelong learning opportunities for adults, and help neighborhoods retain their home values. When schools are strong, your community is strong. Information: 763-504-8000 www.rdale.k12.mn.us
Referendum Voter Guide Who can vote? You may vote if you are a U.S. citizen, a resident of Robbinsdale Area School District 281 and at least 18 years of age. Remember, you may register to vote at your precinct polling place on Election Day. When can I vote? Polls are open Tuesday, November 6 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Where can I vote? You must vote in your precinct. Brooklyn Center Northport Elementary School, 5421 Brooklyn Blvd N Precinct 5, 6, 7 Brooklyn Park Abraham Lincoln School, 6200 West Broadway Ward W, Precincts 1, 2, 3 Crystal Edward Neill School, 6600 27th Ave N Ward 1, Precincts 1, 2 Crystal Municipal Building, 4141 Douglas Dr N Ward 2, Precincts 1, 2 Crystal Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Dr N Ward 3, Precincts 1, 2, 3 Crystal VFW Post 494, 5222 56th Ave N Ward 4, Precincts 1, 2 New Hope Sonnesyn Elementary School, 3421 Boone Ave N Precincts 1, 2, 11 New Hope Elementary School, 8301 47th Ave N Precincts 3N, 3S, 4, 5 Meadow Lake Elementary School, 8525 62nd Ave N Precincts 6, 6E, 7, 8 Absentee ballot and voter information College students, vacationers, residents who are out of town or homebound on Election Day may vote by absentee ballot. For instructions or more voter information, call 763-504-8038. Voter Information 763-504-8038 www.rdale.k12.mn.us Plymouth Pilgrim Lane Elementary School, 3725 Pilgrim Lane Ward 1, Precinct 6; Ward 3, Precincts 15, 16, 17, 19; Ward 4, Precinct 25 Pilgrim United Methodist Church, 4325 Zachary Lane Ward 1, Precincts 2, 4; Ward 4, Precincts 21, 22, 23, 24 Robbinsdale Redeemer Lutheran Church, 4201 Regent Ave N Ward 1 Olivet United Methodist Church, 3620 43rd Ave N Ward 2 Elim Lutheran Church, 3978 West Broadway Ave N Ward 3 American Legion, 3600 France Ave N Ward 4 Golden Valley NE Fire Station, 3700 Golden Valley Rd Precinct 1 Valley Presbyterian Church, 3100 Lilac Dr N Precinct 2 Sandburg Middle School, 2400 Sandburg Lane Precinct 4 Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Rd Precinct 6 Christian Life Center, 8025 Medicine Lake Rd Precinct 7
Independent School District 281 Robbinsdale Area Schools 4148 Winnetka Ave N New Hope, MN 55427 Prepared and paid for by Independent School District No. 281 (Robbinsdale Area Schools), 4148 Winnetka Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55427. This publication is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question. Dear Residents of Robbinsdale Area Schools, The school board of Robbinsdale Area Schools is asking voters to consider a proposal to increase the operating levy for schools. The revenue will be used to lower class sizes and maintain quality instruction for all students. Details of the impact of this proposal are included in these pages, including the impact to you, to children, to our community and our future. Please play a role in the election by seeking information and going to the polls on Nov. 6. Your vote can make a difference. Stan F. Mack II Superintendent of Schools Patsy Green School Board Chair Information: 763-504-8000 www.rdale.k12.mn.us