Lesson #3 on Operating Referendums
Minnesota operates on a three-tiered system that provides school districts with equalization aid on voter-approved operating referendums. This three-tiered equalization formula is based on the school district?Äôs referendum market value (RMV) per resident pupil unit. The first tier is capped at $300 per pupil unit and provides a relatively high rate of equalization aid from the state. This equalization formula of RMV and pupil units provides the Eden Valley-Watkins School District with approximately 70 percent state aid in tier one.
Tier two of equalization aid is received on referendum revenue between $300 and $760 per pupil unit. Our EV-W School District receives an appealing 48 percent of equalization aid on second-tier referendum revenue. All referendum revenue above $760 per pupil unit would fall into tier three.
Tier three offers very limited equalization aid on referendum revenue, and is currently estimated at only 9 percent which leaves residents picking up the remaining 91 percent. I?Äôm pleased to say that our EV-W School District does not have any referendum revenue in tier three. Your administrative team and elected board members will continue to operate educational programs within our fiscal means, balance budgets accordingly, and refrain from deficit spending. More important, we?Äôll continue these effective strategies while offering the public a top-notch education system that demonstrates some of the region?Äôs highest MCA proficiency scores, College-in-Schools programming, multiple foreign language opportunities, tutoring throughout the year, and rewarding K-12 experiences in academics, arts and athletics.
Remember, our ballot question will be asking residents to vote on a renewal of the existing referendum at $307.80 per pupil unit for another 10 years. The difference between the expiring referendum authority and the proposed renewal will be $0 tax impact.
The school district will be hosting two informational meetings to answer your questions about the upcoming referendum renewal. The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the EV-W High School Cafeteria. The second meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, in the Watkins Elementary Gym. If you?Äôre unable to attend, don?Äôt hesitate to give me a call at (320) 453-2900 ext. 1143, or check out the referendum links located on the home page www.evw.k12.mn.us/, of the district?Äôs website.
Absentee Voting
If you are unable to go to the polling sites from 2 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, applications for absentee ballot voting are available at Door #13 in the District Office of EV-W Schools. Absentee ballots can be completed through Monday, Nov. 2, during the normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An application must be completed before a ballot can be mailed or personally received. Please contact the District Office at (320) 453-2900, ext. 1142 or 1144 with any questions related to absentee ballots or absentee applications.
Senior Spotlight
The EV-W School District would like to recognize Bobbi Jo Block, daughter of Heidi and Steve. Bobbi admires her friend and EV-W graduate Maria Holdvogt for her work ethic and passion to pursue dreams. Bobbi has a demanding academic schedule of 4 college classes in semester one, and 3 college classes in semester two. She?Äôs involved in numerous school activities, athletic programs, and serves as a captain to the volleyball team. Bobbi is no stranger to the leadership role. She serves as president to the National Honor Society, Tri-M, and Band. The EV-W administration and staff commend Bobbi on her great start to the 2015-16 school year. Congratulations!