As Sergeant Friday would say, "The facts, ma'am, just the facts." These facts can be viewed online at the Minnesota Department of Education. They're appalling! You also can contact the Department of Education and ask Commissioner Alice Seagren to halt another vote on this Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City referendum. Read the follwing facts and you probably will vote no.
I've read so many articles by people who want everyone to vote yes. I do believe this may change some minds.
At South Elementary School, 72 percent pass basic tests. At North Elementary School, 62 percent pass basic tests. Why the difference? At ACGC High School, it's dismal. All test scores are below state averages. And state standards are low due to minorities new to this country.
Now district admininistration receives $53 more per student than state. Average school admininistration receives $108 more per student than state average, regular instruction receives $283 less per student than state average. School activities receive $318 more per student than state average. Instructional support receives $84 more per student than state average. Pupil support services receives $105 per student less than state average. Operations and maintenance receives $405 per student more than state average. Student transportation receives $308 per student more than state average. General fund revenue is about $500 per student more than state average.
The ACGC District spent $537,490 more than they take in? How can this be? They overspend, then come to us to bail them out! Why all the money for administration and upkeep when regular instruction and pupil support suffers? They need a money manager rather than a superintendent. I think we, as the financial supporters of this district, deserve financial responsibility. Without it they'll never get out of debt.
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Sandy Johnson
Atwater
