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North Branch levies deniedBy Barbara Brown For the fourth time in three years, voters in the North Branch school district denied the districtís request to add taxes to their bills for technology and operating costs. Voters turned out in low numbers compared to a general election year, but brought with them enough ënoí votes to result in denial nearly 2 to 1. The district had presented two questions on the referendum requesting money needed to avoid $2 million in cuts to the districtís 2004-2005 budget. The first question could have added about $15 per month to the tax bill on a house valued at $150,000 while the second question could have added another $5 per month in taxes. ìI feel bad for our staff and our students,î said Superintendent Dr. Robert Stepaniak, ìbecause itís going to make the job of teaching tougher. ìWe werenít able to convince the majority of the people that we are ready to run this district on a shoestring budget,î he said. District staff must get to the business of cutting budgets. The district prepared voters for potential budget cuts with several mailings and meetings on the referendum. Some things that may be cut from the district for the 2004-2005 school year include: eliminating 25 teaching positions, increase all class sizes, eliminate 24 support staff positions and eliminating or reducing many extra-curricular activities. Stepaniak said the district administration will have to ìretrench and ratchet down our educational services because we have no other choice.î ©ECM Post Review |