“We want to make sure people are informed and they have the chance to go out and vote if they want to maintain that level of programming,” said Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent David Law.
Voters will decide whether to renew an operating levy that was passed almost a decade ago. Since it would continue an existing tax for ten more years, the district says passing it has no tax impact. But it makes up a big chunk of the district’s budget.
“It’s 9.3% of our budget and that covers all parts of our district, everything from kindergarten to 12th grade and beyond. Classroom teachers, support staff, custodial.”
If it passes programs will be maintained. If it fails, Law says $34 million dollars would have to be cut from the budget.
“That would be significant. It’s almost 400 employees that we would be cutting,” said Law.
Law says the district is taking this to the voters in time to try again next year if it fails. If that happens items to be cut would be clearly identified.
“Once we go through next year, if it doesn’t pass, the cuts go in place. So this is critical enough to our operation, and what we provide, that we want to five people 18 months to go through the process. Two runs because it would be significant,” said Law. “Our entire program will look very different if question one doesn’t pass.”
Question two would also renew an existing levy, this one for classroom technology. Again no tax impact since it extends an existing levy. It would raise about $44-million over ten years for computers, broad band infrastructure, and enhanced audio in classrooms.
“Every teacher wears a microphone in the classroom so that everywhere in the classroom kids can hear the teacher,” said Law. “That’s fairly innovative. We’re one of the few districts in the state that has provided that access for students.”
Question three is a new levy that responds to community polling about growing needs for academic and mental health support. It would add about $140 in tax on a $300,000 home.
“Question three is the opportunity to address the things our community has said, ‘hey, you could do a little better in these areas.’ And really our board, their commitment was if the community wants these things, we’ll give them a chance to vote on them.”
Early voting is already underway. Election officials say voting was slow but steady in the first few weeks but is expected to pick up as election day gets closer. One thing voters should know is that the polling places may have changed for this election. The Anoka-Hennepin website has more information about all three questions. You can also find out where you vote by going to: www.ahschools.us/pollfinder — or call the district at 763-324-1300.
