Article Last Updated:10/16/2007 08:21:07 PM CDT

Without new cash, schools face major cuts

BY MEGAN BOLDT Pioneer Press
TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

Even if voters approved all levies, metro districts still $50 million short

Metro-area school districts could face up to $173 million in staffing and program reductions next school year if they don't receive any new state revenue or local tax dollars.

That's according to a survey of 36 districts released Tuesday by the Association of Metropolitan School Districts.

Almost half of those districts are asking voters to renew existing operating levies and approve new tax increases this fall.

"Even if all the levy referendum questions pass ... we're going to need the Legislature to act, because there's not enough to close the gap," said Scott Croonquist, the association's executive director. He said a $50 million combined shortfall would remain.

State lawmakers approved a two-year, $13.8 billion spending bill this spring for preschools through high schools, giving schools a boost of almost $800 million over that time.

Most of that money - about $326 million - restored state funding for special education programs. School districts received general state aid increases of 2 percent this year and 1 percent next year, or about $244 million total.

White Bear Lake is one of 99 school districts across the state asking local taxpayers for more money this fall. The district's ballot request totals about $12.5 million a year, including an existing voter-approved levy of $8.4 million that is set to expire after this school year.

Superintendent Ted Blaesing said if the levy is not approved, the district will have to make about $10 million in reductions. That would mean shorter school days and closing five of the district's 12 schools.

About 110 of approximately 500 teachers would lose their jobs, increasing the average class size from 34 students to 39 at the high school level and from 28 students to 33 at the elementary level, he said.

Blaesing said White Bear Lake already has trimmed $10 million from its budget over the past six years.

"It's a little like being nibbled to death by ducks," he said.

The Minnesota Department of Education pointed out that more than two-thirds of education funding comes from the state and nearly a third of the school ballot requests are asking voters to renew existing levies.

Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said in a statement Tuesday that although most education revenue comes from the state, local districts have some responsibility for financing schools as well.

"Operating referendums are an important part of Minnesota's proud tradition of local control," Seagren said. "They give local citizens an opportunity to have a say in how the schools utilize local education resources."

Megan Boldt covers education and can be reached at mboldt@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5495.

White Bear Lake is one of 99 school districts across the state asking local taxpayers for more money this fall.