Our Community. �Our Schools.

The Path Ahead

Operating Levy Update

September 13, 2021

Always begin with the WHY

OUR STUDENTS

Providing quality learning experiences so each of our students has the greatest possibility of reaching their individual potential in life.

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Current Situation: Which path forward?

Current Situation: Which Path Forward?

Our District is facing a future with structural budget deficits �

Increase ongoing �annual operating revenue

Only viable option to do this is an operating levy

Make large budget cuts every few years

For example, the 2023/24 school year budget projection = $5.082 million in cuts

-OR-

Current Situation: Financial Projections

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Current Situation: Which path forward?

Which Path Forward?

�

Voter approved

operating levy

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More budget

cuts

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-OR-

Current Situation

Financial Analysis

Approximately 60% of operating budget is spent on teacher salary and benefits. Another 20% is �spent on other people, those providing services to our students and community.

Budget Analysis �of Expenditures

Source: MFR reports MN Dept. of Education

Current Situation

Expenditure History

Source: Minnesota Funding Reports (MFR) MN Dept. of Education

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Expenditure History

Source: Minnesota Funding Reports (MFR) MN Dept. of Education

Goal: 85%

Current Situation

Student Based

Expenditures-

District �Comparison

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Current Situation: Which path forward?

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Levy Path

Voters Approve an Operating Levy

Levy Path: Voters Approve an

Operating Levy Question #1

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YES or NO

Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the Board be approved?

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$866 per pupil generates $7,537,951 in annual operating revenue

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Current Situation

Levy Path:

Question #1 Detail

• Eliminates projected structural budget deficits (FY24, FY25, and FY26)
• Restoration of some of the budget cuts
• Classroom teachers
• Counselors
• Services closest to student learning

NOTE: $1,949,150 of the $5.4 million in cuts remain permanent budget cuts

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Current Situation

Levy Path:

Question #1 Detail

Restoration of some of the $5.4 million in budget cuts:

• Restore‌ ‌class‌ ‌size‌ ‌targets‌ ‌(same‌ ‌as‌ ‌20-21‌ ‌school‌ ‌year‌)‌ $2,533,100 in teacher FTE
• 5th grade band-- 1.25 FTE $91,250
• 2.0 FTE EL teachers $146,000
• 2.5 FTE High Potential Teachers $182,500
• High School: 2.0 FTE Counselors $146,000
• Middle Schools: 2.0 FTE Intervention Paraprofessionals $66,000
• West: Security/Greeter position $20,000
• Elementary Schools: 3.0 FTE Intervention Teachers $201,000
• ACT student fee payments $25,000
• College in the Schools/Concurrent Enrollment Courses $40,000

TOTAL $3,450,850

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NOTE: $1,949,150 of the $5.4 million in cuts remain permanent budget cuts

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Levy Path: Voters Approve an

Operating Levy - Question #2

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YES or NO

Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the Board be approved?

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$400 per pupil generates $3,481,655 in annual operating revenue

Current Situation

Levy Path:

Question #2 Detail

Improve compensation of teachers and support staff moving towards mid-range of comparable districts

• ESTIMATED COST: At least 60% of Question 2 revenue (Minimum = $2,088,993)

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Make additional improvements to class size targets to reach metro average (ECSU)

• ESTIMATED COST: $540,000

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Increased fine arts and activities offerings

• ESTIMATED COST: $200,000

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Shorten walking distances for grades 9-12 to 1.5 miles

• ESTIMATED COST: $360,000

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Current Situation

Levy Path: Question #2 Detail

Question #1 can pass by itself

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Question #1 and 2 can both pass

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Question #2 cannot pass by itself; it can only pass if Question #1 also passes

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Current Situation: Which path forward?

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Budget Cut Path:

Voters Fail to Approve an Operating Levy

Current Situation

Budget Cuts Path

QUESTIONS