Absentee voting for the operating referendum for the Eden -Valley-Watkins schools is now available. In-person absentee voting locations for all ISD #463 EV-W voters includes:
• Eden Valley Civic Center, 171 Cossairt Ave. West, Eden Valley. Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday: 8 a.m.-12 noon.
• Meeker County Auditor’s Office, 325 North Sibley Ave., Litchfield. Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Mailed requests: Meeker County Auditor, 325 North Sibley Ave., Litchfield.
Under the proposed referendum, Eden Valley-Watkins School District is asking to revoke the existing referendum authority and increase the district’s general education revenue by $460 per pupil, subject to an annual increase in the rate of inflation. The referendum would be levied in 2023 for 2024 payable taxes, and applicable for 10 years.
State revenue has not kept pace with inflation, and ongoing unfunded mandates continue to drain our depleting fund balance. Currently, the district’s operating referendum is $77 per pupil. Comparing Eden Valley-Watkins schools to other districts is as follows: Paynesville is $460, A.C.G.C. is $505, Kimball is $641, and Litchfield is $725. The average operating referendum for a school district in Minnesota is $864 per pupil.
If approved, the funds can only be used for operational costs to maintain student programs, maintain small class sizes, sustain our technology initiative, retain and recruit a quality workforce, utilities, transportation, and to remain competitive with area districts. Operating referendum revenue cannot, and will not, be used for buildings, facilities, or the future sports complex.
The financial need is right now, and the need will only compound out of control if left unchecked. Should the proposal fail, budget cuts and program reductions will be implemented in Spring 2024. Reductions will include fewer FTEs (Full-Time Equivalent) in staffing, which in turn will increase class sizes preK-12, eliminating elective courses, reduced transportation options and extending routes, and fewer advisors, coaches, and student opportunities.
I have been attending a variety of community non-profit and civic organizations to share the information and answer questions. You can also find a list of resources on the district’s web page at www.evw.k12.mn.us under the Operating Referendum tab. Please let me know if you would like to coordinate a meeting date to discuss the district’s upcoming 2023 operating referendum. mmessman@evw.k12.mn.us or (320) 453-2900, ext. 1143.
Thank you.
Mark Messman
EV-W Superintendent