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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

School Board authorizes referendum for 10-year levy renewal

Keith Vandervort
Posted 8/24/16

ELY – Ely School Board members voted this week to authorize a referendum election to renew the district’s existing 10-year operating levy.

On Nov. 8, taxpayers will be asked to renew the …

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School Board authorizes referendum for 10-year levy renewal

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ELY – Ely School Board members voted this week to authorize a referendum election to renew the district’s existing 10-year operating levy.

On Nov. 8, taxpayers will be asked to renew the referendum revenue authorization of $254.42 per pupil. The revenue will be used to finance school operations. Because it is a levy renewal, ISD 696 taxpayers will not see a rise in their property taxes save for annual inflation rate adjustments.

School Board members have been discussing the upcoming levy expiration for the last couple of months and considered the option of asking for more funding through a second levy referendum.

“In the last several meetings, we have had various discussions about the levy and the sense that I got, and I kind of agree with, and recommend to renew the levy in its current state,” said Superintendent Kevin Abrahamson.

He explained the difficulty in obtaining the per-pupil figure for the resolution because the inflation rate amount has not been calculated yet for this year. “Earlier this month, we voted on the $233 per student amount because that was the best number we had at the time.”

The levy referendum calls for an inflation adjustment each year for 10 years. “Ten years ago, it was predicted that the amount would be much higher than it is at the $254.42,” he said. “Inflation has changed and we also have changed the local-optional revenue and the board-approved levy. Ten years ago, we asked for $900 (per student).”

Board Chair Ray Marsnik emphasized that the resolution is a levy renewal. “There are no new taxes here,” he said. “The board had discussed raising the levy or asking for an additional levy, and at our last meeting Rochelle (Sjoberg) felt that she wanted to just stick with the renewal.”

Sjoberg said, “I don’t see that we have something in line that we would need in our immediate future.”

“I feel the same way,” Marsnik said. “I don’t feel at this time that we should increase this or go with another one. The legislature has given us more authority to levy, as a board, than we’ve ever had before and we have to keep that in mind.” He noted that the long-term facility maintenance revenue that comes from the state means a rise in property taxes. “There is some equalization aid from the state, but our district does not qualify.”

School Board member James Pointer also agreed. “I think we need to have our ducks in a row before we ask for more money,” he said.

Abrahamson noted that last year, ISD 696 saw an increase of about 15 students and he predicted about the same increase in students this year. “That brings us more revenue as well,” he said. “We are in a good position to keep this levy the same.”

Marsnik also noted that the long-term maintenance revenue also comes from the property taxes paid by seasonal and recreational property owners in the district. “In that way, the permanent residents up here get some help,” he said.

Strategic planning

Board members listened to another presentation from strategic and long-range planning consultant Edie Carr.

The Ely School Board is considering proposals to help them formulate a plan for strategic or long-term planning in the district. Last month, board members were presented with a road map for the process from Jerritt Johnston of True North Consultants in Ely.

Carr was formerly the director of the St. Louis County Family Services Collaborative, a position she held for 18 years before recently retiring. She also provides consulting services.

After asking the board members why they want strategic planning in the Ely School District, Carr described strategic planning as “the science and art of mobilizing all forces – political, economic, financial and psychological – to obtain goals and objectives.”

“Sometimes people think about this nice little plan and they put it on the shelf and don’t look at it again,” Carr said. “A strategic plan needs to be a moving document and implemented every day,” she said.

She said the School Board’s responsibility is not to do the plan. “Your role is to set the vision, goals and direction and it is up to staff to implement that. “Your goal as board members is to support it with a budget, policies and the other decisions you have the responsibility for,” she said.

Carr said she is looking to tell the board what to do. “My role as facilitator is to lay out pathways and help you get to the goals that you wan to do,” she said. She described her style as “very participatory and visual,” and to allow everyone to build a consensus. “People support what they help create.”

She described her process in helping the board work through a long-term plan to include conducting an assessment, creating a vision, identifying obstacles, forming strategic directions, focusing an implementation and sustaining the plan.

She suggested scheduling face time of 12 to 14 hours with the board over several sessions. She also suggested including community members, parents, students and staff in the planning. She estimated a cost of $6,000 to $8,000 for her consulting services.

Board members have information on other strategic planning consultants and will likely make a decision on the project next month.

Other business

In other business, board members agreed to hire Mariah Jeske for the middle school science math and social studies position, which opened when Megan Anderson was promoted to 6-12 principal.