[Winona Online Democracy]
Paul,
That's cute, but the purpose of 471.71-78 is to
". . . secure sound fiscal policies in, and remedy the financial
condition of, municipalities, a large proportion of the property
of which consists of a diminishing natural resource in which
the state has a substantial interest."
It refers to communities that derive 50% or more of their tax revenue from
iron ore. I don't think the reference is relevant to our situation
Now if you know of some unmined ore in the area that we can use to fund our
school system . . . I'm all for it, by all means let's dig it up!!
Otherwise, please help us lobby the legislature for sufficient funding for
our district.
To state is simply . . .Our school district is in the lowest 15th percentile
of per pupil funding in the state. That means 85% of schools in the state
receive more money per pupil than our district. This inequity is the
fundamental cause of our budgetary problems. Winona Area Public Schools
does a tremendous job of educating our children with its meager allocation
from the state. This is only possible through the dedication and skill of
an overworked staff that is stretched to the limit, but cares too much about
educating our children to give up on them.
It's time for this community to rally around our school district and demand
that the state provide fair and equitable funding for our district. Claims
of needing to "live within limits" do not ring true if the limits are
unequitable and living within them means that we have to sacrifice a quality
education for the children of this community.
If the governor's budget proposal is passed. It will provide Winona Area
Public Schools with a 0% increase in funding the first year and 6/10th of 1%
the second year. Now I don't know about your budget, but the school
district is subject to inflation just like everyone else. For example,
heating costs went up 50% this year and insurance went up 20%. The
governor's budget, if passed, would cause the district to cut 4 million
dollars out of its budget over the next two years. This is in addition to
the 2 million in cuts that were made last year. I don't know if you spend
much time in the schools, but those cuts have had a tremendous effect on the
district . . . for example, the library at the high school is only open one
hour out of the day because there are not funds available to staff it.
Winona Area Public Schools has always, and will continue, to balance its
budget each year. Unfortunatly, unless the funding formula changes soon;
living within those limits will cause great harm to the education of the
children of this community and result in a lower quality of life for, not
only them, but everyone who lives in and cares about Winona and its
surrounding areas.
Yes, demand accountability from your local elected officials.
But also demand accountability and fairness from your state elected
officials.
The stakes are high. Time is short. I encourage you to take action.
Steve Kranz
Board Member, Winona Area Public Schools
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 8:46 PM
Subject: [Winona] Newspaper Article "Equitable Funds"
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> I read in the paper today an letter by Joanie Heydt-Nelson asking the
> Legislature to follow the Minnesota Constitution and specifically "to
> establish a general and uniform system of public schools" and "The
> legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will
> secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools through-out the
> state."
>
> I would add to her question Minnesota Statue 471.71- 471.78 which enables
> contracts to be declare null and void and to hold individually elected
> officials liable which "vote for" indebtedness contracted in excess of
> revenue except that MS 471.72 excludes this right from all the citizens of
> Minnesota except those engaged in the mining of iron ore. Should elected
> officials in the southern part of the state be less accountable?
>
> Local control is the responsibility of local elected officials to know
> their revenue and live within those limits regardless of an imbalanced
> formula.
>
> At the same time Greater Minnesota school districts need to continue to
> fight to get the same dollars for every child as does every other school
> district including those in the metro areas.
>
> Paul Double
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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