[Winona Online Democracy]
Steve,
Excellent points, well thought out argument, and eloquently spoken.
Cherisa Templeton
>From: "Steve Kranz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [Winona] Newspaper Article "Equitable Funds"
>Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 21:55:13 -0600
>
>[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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> >
>
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