Voters in three west central Minnesota school districts chose higher taxes over the possibility of school staff and program cuts.
Operating levies to fund financially struggling school districts in Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Frazee-Vergas and Norman County East passed Tuesday in all three communities, according to complete but unofficial results.
In Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, 52 percent of 1,399 voters approved a proposed $500 per-pupil tax increase over six years, which will cost owners of $100,000 homes about $96 a year. The levy is expected to generate about $700,000 in its first year, including 62 percent in matching state aid.
"We're just thankful," Superintendent Bernie Lipp said, adding the 1,310-student district faced the prospect of scaling back programs and services and cutting staff. "We knew it was going to be a close vote, and we respect the people who didn't want to pay any more property taxes."
In Frazee-Vergas, 61 percent of 2,606 voters endorsed a $1,000 per-pupil tax increase over five years, expected to generate $1 million a year. An owner of a $100,000 home will now spend roughly $111 in extra taxes annually. Superintendent Deron Stender said the district planned to cut 17 positions and a range of extracurricular activities if voters shot down the levy proposal, as they have four times since 2000.
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"When people are faced with a crisis, they'll either continue to push themselves deeper into crisis, or they'll pull out of it," Stender said. "People realized we have a bad situation, and they weren't going to tolerate it."
In the Norman County East district, 872 voters went to the polls, with 77 percent approving $1,550 per-pupil levy over 10 years.
The levy, which would generate about $492,500, will cost the owner of a $75,000 home about $110 annually. School officials said the success of the proposal would spare the 366-student district deep budget cuts and possible consolidation with schools in neighboring districts.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mila Koumpilova at (701) 241-5529 Voters choose school referendums Mila Koumpilova 20071107
