2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the Chronicle
Levy vote on Nov. 6 for public schools is critical
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
On Nov. 6, the St. Cloud Area School District, as well as 98 other school districts in the state, is asking voters to approve a levy referendum. In St. Cloud, two questions are on the ballot. The first will renew a 2004 levy that is set to expire. The second asks for a slight increase to improve technology. The net tax increase on an average home in the St. Cloud area is less than $2 a month.
The Minnesota State Constitution recognizes public education as a cornerstone of democracy. Providing adequate funding for the basic operation of public schools is a constitutional responsibility of the state.
Currently, however, because adequate funding has not been provided at a state level, our area school district, like 88 percent of other school districts in the state, requires local levy support to pay for basic operation costs.
In the case of the St. Cloud schools, the 2004 levy helped turn around a downward spiral of decreasing enrollment and waning public confidence.
Average class size improved, extracurricular and fine arts activities were restored, transportation was expanded and a fund balance restored. Without this levy support, crippling cuts of almost $6 million will need to be made in the next few years in St. Cloud.
Support of our public schools Nov. 6 is critical. If you are one of the thousands of SCSU students preparing to become a teacher it is critical for your profession to ensure that our schools are funded appropriately.
Please take the time to become informed of this very important issue and to vote Nov. 6.
Ron Seibring
Director of Campus Rec.
Member of District 742 St. Cloud School Board
The Minnesota State Constitution recognizes public education as a cornerstone of democracy. Providing adequate funding for the basic operation of public schools is a constitutional responsibility of the state.
Currently, however, because adequate funding has not been provided at a state level, our area school district, like 88 percent of other school districts in the state, requires local levy support to pay for basic operation costs.
In the case of the St. Cloud schools, the 2004 levy helped turn around a downward spiral of decreasing enrollment and waning public confidence.
Average class size improved, extracurricular and fine arts activities were restored, transportation was expanded and a fund balance restored. Without this levy support, crippling cuts of almost $6 million will need to be made in the next few years in St. Cloud.
Support of our public schools Nov. 6 is critical. If you are one of the thousands of SCSU students preparing to become a teacher it is critical for your profession to ensure that our schools are funded appropriately.
Please take the time to become informed of this very important issue and to vote Nov. 6.
Ron Seibring
Director of Campus Rec.
Member of District 742 St. Cloud School Board