[Winona Online Democracy]
I was just looking over my previous message and noticed an error.
The number of school districts in the state with a deficit last year was
30%, not 60%.
-Steve Kranz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Kranz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Winona Online Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Web Page To Compare Local Candidates?
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> Paul,
>
> You're right to be concerned about the district finances. 861 will
continue
> to face tough budgetary problems despite the cuts that were made last
> spring. I would be reluctant to say, though, that budgetary cuts are the
> "only" choices.
>
> Last spring, I reviewed every page of the district's budget and my
> conclusion was that we do not have a "budget crisis", we have a "funding
> crisis". The simple bottom line is that 60% of the school districts in
the
> state had a budget deficit last year. Most of these were out-state school
> districts. That tells me that there is something fundamentally wrong with
> how schools are being funded in our state and if we are going to solve our
> budgetary problems in Winona, we need to address the issue from the
funding
> side of the equation.
>
> Last spring, Winona organized a "March for Schools" at the capital to
lobby
> for more funding. This event was organized in only five days and, despite
> the short notice, 40 school districts were present and nearly 500 people
> attended. I think that Winona and other out-state school districts need
to
> continue to work together to lobby for a long-term funding solution. It
is
> unconscionable
> that in this time of such great prosperity (and government surpluses)
> schools
> should have to increase class sizes and cut programs.
>
> The school board recently formed a legislative committee for this purpose.
> I have signed up to participate. I also hope to lobby our Senators to
> convince Congress to provide additional funding for Special Education
costs.
> Back when Congress mandated Special Education, they said they would fund
40%
> of the cost to local school districts, but currently they only cover about
> 8%.
>
> I also think that locally we need to show a commitment to our public
school
> system by considering a levy override referendum that is at least
consistent
> with other similar school districts. If we pass a $415/per pupil
> referendum, the state will match it dollar for dollar and it would bring
> $1.1 million into our school system (this would cost a resident with a
> $100,000 home, $56 a year in additional property taxes).
>
> So when it comes to the budgetary issues facing the district, those are my
> priorities. I do not think there are any cuts we can make that will
> "improve" the educational experience of our students, so I think we need
to
> get serious about solving this from the funding side of the equation.
>
> For more information you can visit a couple of websites I put together
last
> spring about these issues:
>
> http://marchforschools.winona.org/
>
> http://www.winona.org/schoolfunding/index.html
>
> Thanks for your question,
>
> -Steve Kranz
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 4:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [Winona] Web Page To Compare Local Candidates?
>
>
> > [Winona Online Democracy]
> >
> > My question would be ------
> >
> > Given these as the "only" remaining choices available to balance the
> budget
> > in the next round of salary negotiations what would your ranking
priority
> > be "among the following tough choices".
> >
> > � Close smaller schools
> > � Increase class size
> > � Eliminate all Co-curricular activities including band and sports.
> > � Eliminate all General Fund funding of all Co-curricular activities
> > � Freeze salaries except for lane changes which may cause a strike
> > � Freeze salaries except for step changes which may cause a strike
> > � Lay off staff on the basis of seniority which may cause a strike
> >
> > Paul Double
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > >Subject: Re: [Winona] Web Page To Compare Local Candidates?
> > >Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 11:39:33 -0600
> > >And voters, feel free to ask the candidates questions via this list.
> > >
> > >So, I'll get the ball rolling and let you know that I am a candidate
for
> > >District 861 School Board. I'll put together a post outlining what I
> think
> > >is important for the district, but in the meantime I'd be happy
> > >to hear anyone's views on issues and/or answer any questions.
> > >
> > >Thanks,
> > >
> > >-Steve Kranz
> >
> >
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> >
>
>
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