by Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Voters in ISD 831 said yes to an operating levy renewal on Tuesday, but turned down a request by the school board for additional dollars designated to enhance school programs.

With all district precincts reported early Wednesday, the ballot question to renew an existing levy at $6.5 million a year for five years passed by a margin of 11,270 to 9558.

The approval means the district will be able to head off massive budget cuts the school board had identified earlier this year.

Those cuts would meant the elimination of 74 classroom teachers, the closing of one elementary school, the closing of the district swimming pool and a new bussing policy that would have eliminated public transportation for students living within two miles of their schools.

The rejection of the second ballot question will cool a number of student enhancement ideas proposed by the board. The ballot question, had it been approved, would have provided an additional $1.4 million a year over five years.

The second question was soundly defeated by a margin of 11,874 votes against with 8798 votes in favor.

Funds from the second ballot question would have paid for an every day, half-day kindergarten program, provided dollars to implement more aspects of the districtís strategic planning process and allowed the districts additional dollars to purchase textbooks and other curriculum materials needed to comply with new state standards.

Lynn Steenblock, superintendent of schools, said he was pleased that the voters agreed with the district plan for the levy renewal and the inflation factor it carried over its 2001 start date.

Had it failed, the district would have moved forward with a plan to cut $6.5 million in spending this winter.

Strong showings in Washington and Chisago county precincts were needed to make sure the first question passed. In the Anoka County precincts, the levy renewal only passed by a total of 19 votes.

But the ballot question passed in all five Forest Lake precincts and saw strong support in the two Wyoming precincts.

After two rejections at the ballot box in recent years, Vote Yes for Schools Chair Laurie Kumerow said she believed 10,000 yes votes would carry the day. She was right and the 11,270 votes in favor exceeded her target for success.

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