Commentary; Posted: 8/11/04

In long run, school levy delay may be best

By Cliff Buchan

Itís not easy sitting back and taking a do nothing stance when faced with the need to cut $2 million and lay off another 30 staff members this winter. But that is what the school board of ISD 831 has elected to do in voting to delay any excess operating levy vote until the fall of 2005, some 15 months from now.

Some may argue that the school district should have at least tried to seek voter approval of more local tax levy dollars to head off the next round of budget cuts. After all, some $2 million and 20 teachers have been cut from the budget for the current school year. Now another $2 million must go.

From this perspective, however, the district may well benefit in the long run by delaying this critical vote. Just last fall the district suffered a stinging loss of an operating levy request by a wide margin at the ballot box. We are seeing no strong signals that the public is crying loudly in opposition to the cuts. In contrast, it has been deathly quiet on the public front. And some school board members sensed it, we believe.

Another defeat at the ballot box this fall would place the district in a tenuous spot a year from now when the district will most likely ask for renewal of its existing five-year $6 million-a-year levy plus the additional $2 million to head off still more budget cuts. Losing could well beget losing.

Between now and November of 2005 it is imperative the school district begin taking and making its financial case to the public in an attempt to regain the strong public support it found in the levy vote of 2001.

Somewhere along the line that support ó including the support of many parents of public school children ó has eroded to a dangerous level. If the five-year levy is not renewed the district will face cuts that will dwarf the steps now being taken and would likely involve school closings. The district will have two tries to renew the five-year levy, if necessary, so that is some salvation.

The district is wise in buying some time. The time will be important in getting its message out to the public and energizing foot soldiers to work for the passage of the next operational levy. It will also give the school board time to take a hard look at how it shapes its budget for the 2005-2006 school year and how the cuts are being made.

While the administration has worked hard to involve staff and parents in the budget cutting model, it would be wise for board members to be actively engaged in the process from start to finish as a check and balance to ensure that all areas of the budget are facing scrutiny.

The delay will also give the district time to air its funding woes with state officials.

A major problem in funding for local school districts is the stateís failure to fully fund public schools. Frozen state aid levels is unacceptable for districts like Forest Lake where asking for local property tax dollars is not as easy as in some of the more affluent metro districts.

While the state has taken a bold step in attempting to remove property taxes as a major funding source for schools, it is not keeping pace with inflationary costs that are hitting schools hard. This state system needs further refinement or a commitment by the legislature to help absorb the rising costs that school districts face.

In the long run, however, it will take the backing of our local residents who are willing to open their pocketbooks to support public education. The sales job will fall to the school board to educate residents and convince voters the district is doing a good job with its money and delivering a product we can all take pride in.

Graduation day will come in November of 2005. Will ISD 831 make the grade? Time will tell.

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