Referendum
I?Äôd like to take this opportunity to thank the community members who attended our referendum informational meetings last week, and I hope you were able to acquire the necessary information to make an informed decision on renewing the existing operating referendum. As a result of the meeting and a question posed on property valuation changes from 2014 to 2015, we determined that the county needed to provide some details on the recent changes in tillable valuation. We were informed that all tillable land is going through a conversion process from the old CER (crop equivalency ratings) to the new CPI (crop productivity index). These soil grading systems are based on the original soil surveys conducted in the late 1980s, and administered by the University of Minnesota. Over time, it was determined that the CPI soil rating more accurately reflected the value of farmland. In addition to converting to the CPI soil rating system, the county also collects sales data that is used to determine property values. The increasing sale price of tillable land in conjunction with the CPI ratings generated an increase of 18 percent for all tillable land in Stearns County. As you know, the operating referendum will not impact tillable land and the school district has no authority in terms of soil samples, the increasing price of tillable land, or the valuation of property. I would encourage you to contact your respective county assessor?Äôs office with your questions about property values.
As a result of the increasing values of tillable land, it?Äôs important that the school and farming community work together on developing solutions and recommendations to contain these valuation increases as we advocate for property tax relief in rural Minnesota. Feel free to contact me if you have any interest in pursuing the topic of increased valuations of tillable land. In the meantime, I?Äôll be contacting reps. at the Minnesota Rural Education Association, Minnesota Farmers Bureau, and Minnesota Farmers Union to see if we can initiate a united front in addressing the escalating price of tillable land and the impact it?Äôs having on the farming community.
October is Farm to School Month
October is National Farm to School Month, and a time to celebrate the connections happening between schools and local food producers. A number of area school districts are celebrating Farm to School month by serving fresh, local foods in their cafeterias and trying new recipes with their students. EV-W schools are currently partnering with the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) in this Farm to School initiative to offer students the opportunity to eat locally produced squash with their meals. The PartnerSHIP provides funds for the Farm to School program to assist with gardens and nutrition education.
Our district has used a variety of fruits and vegetables from local producers including melons, apples, cucumbers, cabbage, radishes and tomatoes. We?Äôll continue to explore the SHIP opportunities to provide our students with a variety of seasonal produce that offers great taste and also supports our local producers.
Weekly Quote
?ÄúWe cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.?Äù
– Chuang Tzu
Senior Spotlight
The EV-W School District would like to recognize Nathan Peterson, son of Laurie and Jason. Nathan would like to thank Theresa Schlangen for her kindness and positive role-modeling. Currently, Nate is enrolled in two college level courses, FFA, and works at Tessmer Meats in Richmond. He?Äôs excited about the school year, has a great sense of humor, and plans to attend St. Cloud Technical College following high school graduation. The EV-W administration and staff commend Nate on his great start to the 2015-16 school year. Congratulations!