State allocation not enough; ACGC levy needs to be approved

GROVE CITY -- Legislation that will give Minnesota schools another $51 per student next year won't be enough to solve the financial troubles in the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District.

The one-time allocation is a nice gesture but not a remedy for districts like ACGC, which is in statutory operating debt.

ACGC will receive $40,000 to $50,000 next year under a new bill approved Sunday.

"I'm not going to knock the one percent, or the $51, but it's not enough," said Judy Raske, ACGC chairwoman during an interview following the school board meeting Monday.

Dr. Keith Redfield, in-terim superintendent, ag-reed the new state money "is not going to save the district."

Raske said she's glad the legislature didn't cut "what they originally said a year ago," but the one-time shot in the arm is inadequate after "so many years of stagnant funding."

"We gained a little, but we didn't go backwards," Redfield said.

Raske said the one-year bonus won't negate the need for an operating levy in the district.

ACGC voters go to the polls Wednesday to cast ballots on a levy referendum. If the levy is approved, it will generate $437,000 annually for seven years. The additional revenue is needed, according to school board members, to get -- and keep -- the district out of statutory operating debt.

Raske said she's hopeful the levy will be approved.

ACGC voters have rejected the last four attempts. This will be the fifth try since 2005.

Board member Janell Johnson said she's "optimistic that the residents in this district will put education of our children ahead of the myth that we're over-spending."

Raske said she hasn't heard a lot negative comments about the referendum, but she's unsure how to interpret the silence.

"Whatever happens," Raske said, she hopes ACGC residents can "start working together as one community instead of three" and look for "common goals to improve the education for our kids."

Under the new legislation, districts will also be given a one-year opportunity to transfer $51 per pupil from their capital funds to the general fund.