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Support the operating levy

To the editor:
Iím writing this letter to encourage residents of North Branch School District 138 to support both the operating levy questions on the ballot on Tuesday Nov. 4, 2003. The first question is to raise $550 per student per year for 5 years, this money will be used to keep the school district basically where it is today as far as staffing and class size. The second question is to raise $125 per pupil for each of 5 years to be used for making technology improvements.
You could be thinking, didnít we just pass a bond last year for a new elementary school? Yes the residents did pass a building bond for the new elementary school. So why do we need this operating levy now? The answer is: elected leaders in Minnesota in working the State out of a $4.5 billion deficit of the Stateís budget chose to hold per pupil funding the same. Iím glad they didnít cut per pupil funding but by holding it the same it puts all schools in a tough situation. Why? For example North Branch Schools has over a half a million square feet of building space which they heat. Last year the utilities cost were over $700,000. Weíve all heard that might happen to natural gas prices, they could double. Imagine the average home of about 1,200 square feet and the heating bill doubling, now think of the school districtís bill for over half a million square feet and that bill doubling. With no increase in their funding theyíd have to cut somewhere else to balance their budget. Another example is North Branch runs around 50 buses that covered 670,000 miles last year. Youíve been to the gas station and have seen the fluctuations in gas prices and diesel fuel is about the same, every time these prices go up itís money out of the budget that could go to the classroom. These are factors the school district has no control over yet they greatly affect the district budget, and the primary way the district can balance itís budget is by increasing class size and having fewer teachers. Approving the operating levies will keep the district where it is now. In deciding how you will vote you need to ask yourself ìWhat kind of schools do we want in North Branch?î If the answer is to continue with the quality education our kids get today I encourage you to support the operating levies.
We all pay taxes, but this is our community and our children and these ballot questions are worthy of our support. It wouldnít hurt to call your state representative, senator and the governorís office and let them know that decisions made at the state level also affect local government and in the case of the schools, Iíd say in a negative way.
Rick Olseen
Chisago County
Commissioner District 2

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