WILLMAR -- Administrators in the Willmar Public Schools are beginning the work of developing a list of $1.6 million in budget cuts, less than a week after voters denied the second question in the school district's request for an operating levy.
The first question of the levy was approved by voters, but the second part was denied. If both had failed, the upcoming cuts could have been as much as $2.5 million. The district's general fund expenditures this year are about $43 million.
The Willmar School Board discussed the operating levy referendum results and their effect at its meeting Monday afternoon.
The board also made the results of the Nov. 4 election official.
The vote on the operating levy was 6,696 votes in favor and 5,068 votes against levy question 1 and 5,620 votes in favor and 6,036 votes against levy question 2.
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In the School Board election, the vote totals were Sandi Unger, 6,515 votes; Mike Reynolds, 5,635 votes; Eric Roberts, 5,795 votes; Wayne Lenzmeier, 5384 votes; Shawn Mueske, 4,997 votes and Don Thorpe, 3,515 votes. The top four vote-getters will serve four-year terms on the board. Mueske was the only incumbent to lose re-election. Reynolds will rejoin the School Board after losing a re-election bid five years ago.
Voters approved the first part of the levy, a $201.51 per student levy that will allow the district to collect the maximum state aid available. However, a second part, for $374.36 per student, was denied.
Question 1 was approved strongly in the city of Willmar and in the rural areas and small towns in the district. The second question was approved in the city but not strongly enough to overcome the strong vote against it in the outlying areas.
"How do we make a better connection with the areas outside Willmar," asked board member Dion Warne.
"I think that every district that has a rural area fights that battle," said Superintendent Jerry Kjergaard. Sometimes people in rural areas "just don't feel as connected," he added.
"It would have been nice to get both questions," Kjergaard said, "but the people of our district did vote to increase their property taxes by about $900,000, and we should thank them for that."
Board members said they did appreciate the voter support, and they also thanked the citizen committee that campaigned for the operating levy questions.
Board members discussed the outlook for education funding from the state. The Legislature will meet next year and set the two-year budget that begins on July 1, 2009.
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School district budget projections have included an estimated 2 percent increase from the state. However, the increase could be smaller, depending on the size of a state budget deficit and how the Legislature handles it.
Kjergaard said he thought any increase from the state would be "miniscule," possibly 1 percent. School districts have alreadyseen a 13 percent decline in funding over the past eight years, when inflation is taken into account, he said.
When board members asked if the district might have to cut more than $1.6 million in the spring, Kjergaard said, "I'm firmly on the $1.6 (million) because that's what we told our public."
Work is just beginning on the list of cuts, Kjergaard said, but he is asking the staff to share their ideas about how to cut the budget. He may also use the district Web site to seek suggestions from the public.
Board member Wayne Lenzmeier said he had recently attended a meeting where legislators said they may have to choose between funding health and human services needs or public schools.
Board members asked Kjergaard to invite the legislators who represent the district to a board meeting before the Legislature reconvenes early next year.
Board Chairman Mike Carlson pointed out that the state constitution requires that the state provide two things for its citizens -- a transportation system and education.
Carlson urged the people who worked to promote the operating levy to stay involved and contact legislators about education funding.
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"This is about educating the future of this state," Carlson said. "We will manage this district, but let's live up to the constitution."
