Northfield School Board Members Reluctantly Agree to Ask Voters for Additional School Funding

How concerned are Northfield Public Schools board members about Minnesota's future solvency?

If their somber expressions and impassioned pleas for public education weren't evidence enough, their agreement at Monday's board meeting to propose to voters a 10-year levy—the longest allowed by law—tells the story.

Board members agreed to ask for—though not necessarily to spend—the maximum operating levy allowed by state law.

The existing operating levy, approved in 2006, collects about $1,270 per pupil from district residents. At the maximum levy of $1,584.76, residents would see an estimated increase of about $60 annually for each $100,000 in property value. This number is determined by multiplying the levy per pupil by the number of resident pupils, divided by the total valuation of property in the district.

Levies were the sole item for discussion on the agenda for Monday's meeting, with discussion lasting for nearly 2 1/2 hours. The board directed administrators to draft two resolutions for consideration at the board's Aug. 8 meeting.

One establishes five polling places for a public vote on the levies.

The other authorizes the district to ask voters to maintain the capital levy and to increase the operating levy. If the board passes this resolution, they would ask voters to approve new 10-year operating and capital levies during the Nov. 8, 2011, general election.

School officials believe that additional funds will be needed in the likely event that the trend for flat or reduced state school aid will continue.

School funding is an especially difficult topic with the school's main source of revenue—the state of Minnesota—shut down because of a dispute over how to solve the state's projected $5 billion deficit. Last month, the board approved a .

Board members referenced the state impasse frequently.

Board member Jeff Quinnell said it proves the state is an unreliable source for school funding. Chairperson Kari Nelson said planning would be easier “if the state got its act together.” Board member Julie Pritchard said she doesn’t want to go to community for more money, but state situation gives the board no choice.

“It’s what happens when school districts are being starved to death," Superintendent Chris Richardson replied.

Board members expressed a great deal of frustration with state government and its involvement in school funding.

“The whole system of how schools are being funded needs to be revamped,” board member Anne Maple said. “This is a big problem the whole state faces.”

Board member John Fossum decried state legislators' unwillingness to raise taxes and force that politically unpopular move onto cities.

"We are essentially the scapegoat for what happens in St. Paul,” he said.