Last week, Kimball Schools welcomed back area students, some bright-eyed, some just plain exhausted from the early morning. The school board would like to extend its best wishes to all students and staff for an exciting and successful year. As we look forward as a board on how best to ensure a successful education for Kimball students, we are obligated to acknowledge the continued lack of adequate funding and the problems it poses for our district and students.
The Kimball Public Schools Board of Education passed a resolution July 20, 2009, for an operating referendum question to be put before voters in the Kimball School District Nov. 3, 2009. The question before voters would be to revoke the existing operating referendum of $275 per pupil that was approved by voters in 2005 and replace that authorization with a new authorization of $550 per pupil. The new referendum would be applicable for six years unless revoked or reduced as provided by law.
Last year, residents should have noticed a decrease in their SCHOOL property tax statement, when comparing statements from 2008 to 2009. This is because of the voter-approved elementary building bond referendum from 1989 that has been effectively paid off. Revoking the current operating referendum of $275 per pupil to increase its size to $550 per pupil will increase property taxes; however, taxes should remain lower than 2008 levels when the elementary building levy was still in place. It should be noted that changes to property valuation will cause fluctuations in tax amounts and that is beyond the control of the school district.
The new operating referendum would be targeted to supply revenue for the day-to-day operations of the district. It will be used to halt the budget cuts the district has been experiencing yearly since 2003, which have had the cumulative result of limiting available courses and increasing class sizes to the extent that it effects Kimball Schools ability to remain competitive.
Neighboring school districts are looking at passing operating levies Nov. 3, as they also react to state funding that has been flat in the past and is still currently way below what is necessary to adequately educate a student. Essentially, local tax payers are being asked to fill in the funding gaps with referendum dollars. These dollars will provide the district with needed additional funding, allowing Kimball Public Schools to maintain the curriculum already in place and attract students who might otherwise open enroll to a neighboring district.
A campaign committee has been formed and their message is “Your Schools, Your Choice!” This committee consists of area residents and representatives from the school. Informational materials are currently being put together and committees formed. In the weeks to come, please look for additional information from the “Your Schools, Your Choice” committee, as well as the school district and the school board. Residents who would like to be involved or have questions may contact Kurt Helgeson, “Your Schools, Your Choice!” campaign co-chair, at (320) 398-2662 or kurt.helgeson@gmail.com.
District News – Kimball Schools referendum
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