Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Lynn Steenblock knows how heíd like to spend this winter as superintendent of schools here.

As the top administrator in ISD 831, Steenblock would prefer to see his time and that of other district folks spent charting new plans for the district and making moves to benefit students of all abilities.

But if the $6.5 million five-year renewal levy ballot question is defeated by voters, Steenblock knows his winter will be much different. Rather than taking progressive steps, the superintendent will direct a district and school board process to cut $6.5 million in spending for the school year that begins July 1, 2007.

The renewal question is one of two ballot items the district is asking voters to approve on Nov. 7.

The $6.5 million question in essence renews the existing levy of $6 million and provides an additional $500,000 a year of inflationary aid that addresses inflation factors for the next five years and the inflation gains that have come since voters OKíd the levy in 2001.

The existing levy will sunset on June 30. The $6 million of revenue amounts to just under 10 percent of the districtís $63.5 operating budget this year.

The second question asks voters to approve an additional $1.4 million a year for five years to enhance student achievement. The extra funding will be used to improve class size ratios, provide dollars to implement steps with the districtís strategic plan, improve the gifted education program, fund a return to the half-day, every day kindergarten program and provide dollars for curriculum improvements and textbook purchases to meet new state requirements.

ìHopefully, both referendums will pass this fall,î Steenblock said.

With the funding, he said the district will be able to head off budget cuts and continue with its mission of providing the best education possible to students.

The goals

The kindergarten program will address needs identified by the community while the class size changes will mean the ability to hire staff to improve student-teacher ratios K-12.

Funding decisions for the gifted programs and the strategic planning will be based on review and input.

The district provides start-up funding for the strategic planning effort this year and will decide on next yearís funding decisions after hearing reports and recommendations from the planning committee.

For gifted program changes, Steenblock said a school-community task force would be named to study needs and make recommendations. That could include staff and programs, he said.

The future steps, Steenblock said, will enable the district to address core areas for reading, writing and math.

ìStudent achievement is the number one priority for our school district,î he said. ìWe have been improving right along.î

With additional resources the district will be able to keep more students from ìfalling through the cracks,î Steenblock says.

ìThese students will continue to make gains in achievement areas and be more successful when they leave our institution.î

For the district, he says, there is no resting on the laurels of past gains. ìDo we need to get better?î Steenblock asks. ìAbsolutely.î

Consequences

If the levy questions do not win voter approval, the consequences to the district will be dire, he says, adding that cuts will have a ìdevastatingî impact on the district.

The second question is one matter, but the levy renewal gets down to major budget reductions that the school board identified by cuts in a six-month study process this year.

If the levy fails, the school board has determined that:

ïAs many as 74 classroom teachers and up to 200 total district staff slots would be cut.

ïClass sizes at all levels would see dramatic increases.

ïOne elementary school would be closed and attendance boundaries for all elementary and junior high buildings would be adjusted.

ïStudents living within two miles of their school would not be provided district transportation.

ïThe district swimming pool would be closed.

ïNumerous school programs including band and orchestra and some sports would be eliminated as a result of the lost revenue.

The cost

Steenblock says the fact that local property tax payers are being asked to step forward is an indicator of the needs public schools are facing today.

ìAn operating levy is critical in every school today,î he said.

Based on reports from the districtís auditor and other outside experts and reputable rating groups such as Standard & Poorís, Steenblock believes the district is spending money wisely and efficiently.

ìThe school district is effective and efficient,î he says.

Steenblock maintains the public will see good investment from their tax dollars if they elect to vote ìyesî on Nov. 7.

For an averaged priced home of $250,000 in the district, the renewal levy will mean an annual property tax increase of $23.

If both levies are passed (the first levy must pass in order for the second to be approved), the home with $250,000 market value will see a total annual tax increase of $106 to support the schools.

ìIt (voter approval) will allow Forest Lake to continue moving forward,î he said.

More comments

When all factors are considered, Steenblock believes the schools are doing a good job and the public is getting good value for its investment.

ìWe have good results for the money we spend,î he said.

Since his arrival in 2000, Steenblock believes the district continues to operate without full public understanding of the job the district does.

ìPeople still donít realize how good this school district is,î the superintendent says. ìWe have a dedicated staff that is concerned about kids and is not spending dollars wastefully.î

In charting its plan for budget cuts, Steenblock said the school board process was designed to give the public an understanding of the consequences if the funding source is eliminated. While some may see the budget cuts as a threat, they are not threats, he said.

Taking such a step is perhaps a ìno winî situation, he said.

ìIt is not a threat, it is only the fact that people are requesting that we communicate with the public,î he said. ìIf the referendum fails, we have communicated with the public.î

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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