[Winona Online Democracy]
Considering the options available for financing the schools, the local
community seems to be the best bet (a highly relative term) right now for
any significant improvement next year. Greater equity in state support may
yet come to out-state school districts, but I even if it does, many
financial problems will remain. In fact, out-state services as a whole in
almost all states suffer some financial deprivation, and regardless of the
political party in power, things are not likely to get better soon.
Here in Winona, immediate local support for an override levy for schools
may be highly problematical if local governments also need money to solve
their problems. A mad scramble for money within a short time could nullify
the needs of all groups.
This situation leads to a question. Have local governments (the county, the
cities) and the school district ever established a body to collaborate on
meeting financial needs? Perhaps priorities could be developed or
particular needs and plans could be laid out in such a way that some
coordination could be established. Even Winona State University could be
included. Although it cannot itself issue bonds or raise taxes or
establish tax increment financing, its decisions and requirements often
have a large impact on the tax base.
It would be na�ve to think that interests of disparate groups could be
melded together to form a body in which conflict would be eliminated. Some
interests will inevitably clash. People look at finance from their own
perspectives. Moreove, state decisions and actions by school districts
other than 861 within the county might skew any local decisions. But an
ongoing body consisting of representatives of governments and the school
district might produce at least partially coordinated local financial
decisions. For example, a plan for needs assessment and cyclical
fund-raising could be developed. Such a plan might reduce the negative
reaction of citizens being faced with large, unrelated tax increases within
a short period, a recipe for funding difficulties even during prosperous
times.
Although I assume some informal consultation on financial needs has
occurred on an ad hoc basis, I have not heard of any regular collaborative
procedure in Winona. Has one existed in the area? Does one exist in some
form now? Does the history of the area make the effectiveness of a
collaborative group possible? Or is the issue really relevant now?
Roy Nasstrom
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~Roy Nasstrom, Chair, Department of Educational Leadership [507/457-5347]~
~ Department of Educational Leadership Web Site ~
~ http://www.winona.msus.edu/educationalleadership/ ~
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