RENVILLE -- Renville County West will conduct three informational meetings on a $400-per- pupil operating levy that school board members are asking voters to approve this November.
The first meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the RCW Elementary Gym in Sacred Heart.
Subsequent meetings are set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Danube Community Center and 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the RCW High School Gym in Renville.
Superintendent John Widvey said the operating levy is being sought to keep strong academic programs in place.
It will also help the district remain on track toward a positive cash flow. The district is following a plan to eliminate its statutory operating debt, but still faces a tight financial situation. This year's $6 million budget aims for a $35,000 positive balance.
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Under state law, statutory operating debt occurs when the unappropriated fund balance at year's end is a negative amount that exceeds 2.5 percent of operating expenditures.
Widvey said board members decided to ask voters to approve the levy after a goal-setting session held earlier this year. While board members are looking to share administrative services and collaborate with other districts where possible, they want to maintain RCW's independence as a district and its academic successes.
Keeping the district's financial situation on good footing is critical to these goals, as well as a long-term goal of possibly developing a central RCW campus, he said.
If approved, the $400-per-pupil operating levy would raise an additional $340,012 for the 2007-2008 school year.
