Two school districts in west central Minnesota Tuesday will be asking voters to consider spending proposals for specific projects.
New London-Spicer School District voters will be voting on a $21.6 million bond for proposed facilities and Yellow Medicine East School District voters will be voting on a $300 increase in its operating levy.
We believe in both cases, voters should approve the respective district proposals for the betterment of their students and school district.
Vote yes on NLS bond issue
The NLS proposal on the ballot is a proposed $21.6 million bond for new and upgraded facilities. The plan includes a 650-seat performing arts auditorium (estimated at $9.6 millions), a two-court gym (estimated at $6.5 million), a Prairie Woods Elementary School learning space addition (estimated at $3.6 million), security upgrades at the high school and middle school, and a redesigned parking lot at the middle school.
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NLS voters defeated a $14.6 million bond question in 2014. The post-election survey found support for the performing arts project, but not the proposed fitness center.
The school district has conducted more than 15 informational presentations to explain the 2016 bond proposal.
The year’s proposal seeks to meet significant needs within the district. NLS music students have to perform in the gym and theater students have to travel off campus for proposals. Prairie Woods Elementary School has been facing significant space issues in recent years.
The proposal would also retire old debt from the 1993 bond for the high school. While the NLS bond question is larger than the 2014 question, district property taxes would actually decrease slightly in the future.
A yes vote Tuesday on the NLS bond question is a positive investment in the district’s students, communities and their collective futures.
Vote yes on YME levy issue
YME district voters will vote on an operating levy increase of $300, from $868.76 to $1,168.76 per pupil unit.
This is a very critical vote for the district as without this operating levy increase, the district will face a $200,000 annual deficit without the additional increase.
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District voters defeated an operating levy request significantly in 2014. School officials believe they did not do a sufficient job in providing voter information on their request. They have worked to provide more information this time around.
The levy increase would address these YME needs: maintain current staffing levels, class sizes and academic programs; maintain career paths at the high school, address technology needs, maintain current transportation system, maintain current athletic and activity opportunities and hire staff for curriculum development and implementation.
The district includes five communities - Clarkfield, Echo, Granite Falls, Hanley Falls and the Upper Sioux Community.
The impact of the proposed levy would increase the monthly tax on a $150,000 residential property by $9.57.
A yes vote Tuesday on the YME levy question is a critical investment in the district’s students, communities and their collective future.
Readers may respond to this editorial with letters to the editor by emailing letters@wctrib.com . The deadline is 3 p.m. Friday.
