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Schools

Stillwater Area School Board Members 'Disappointed' But 'Understanding' After Levy Questions Failed At The Polls

Stillwater Area School Board Members 'disappointed' after levy questions were defeated during yesterday's election.

came up short with support for their three levy questions on the ballot Tuesday. In a close election, all three questions were rejected by voters in the district.

The Operating levy question failed by 52 percent (7,030 votes) compared to 48 percent for yes (6,454 votes).

The Capital Project Levy was defeated by 53 percent (7,128 votes) compared to 47 percent for yes (6,328 votes).

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The Bond, failed by 52 percent (6,950 votes) compared to 48 percent for yes (6,504 votes).

School Board Chairman George Dierberger expressed his disappointment Wednesday but acknowledged the tough economic times the district is in.

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“It is a tough time, people are hurting. People want us to cut, were going to do that regardless, now we are going to be more aggressive with cuts,” Dierberger said.

“It’s disappointing, but we understand,” he added.

According to Washington County records, the last time levy questions were defeated was in 2007. The school district asked three questions, one passed and the other two questions were defeated.

Voter turnout for the 2007 election was at 44 percent for Stillwater (16,000 residents), according to Kevin Corbid, Washington County Recorder.

The preliminary data shows 35 percent of voters in Stillwater (13,500 residents) went to the polls this year.

Stillwater’s turnout numbers are quite good compared to other districts in the county, Corbid said.

Maplewood also had a levy vote but only had a 17 percent voter turnout rate, according to Corbid’s data.

According to the Star Tribune, voters across the Twin Cities renewed existing levies but did not support giving schools more money.

More than 120 school districts across the state held referendums Tuesday.

Levy renewals passed in Anoka-Hennepin, Buffalo, Edina, Forest Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Orono, Princeton and Spring Lake Park, the Star Tribune said.

West St. Paul school district was able to get the funding they requested but Delano Public Schools were unable to double their levy, the Star Tribune stated.

The Stillwater school district faces a tough road ahead as they find ways to cut $10 million from their budget.

Vice School Board Chairman Mike Ptacek stated he believes the kids and the community will suffer from Tuesday’s election outcome.

“I personally believe it is very difficult to make cuts without impacting the kids,” Ptacek said.

Although Ptacek was disappointed with the outcome, he was pleased so many voters supported the levy.

“Because it (election) was so close, we wonder what we could have done differently,” Ptacek said.

When asked if the district could have renewed past levies like other districts in the state, Ptacek stated the district would still have a funding shortage and would still have to cut $10 million from their budget.

Ptacek added, the district was trying to stay even by asking the three levy questions on Tuesday.

A committee has been formed to decide what needs to be cut from the budget. The committee will meet next week to discuss the future budget, Dierberger said.

The committee will seek community feedback on the budget cuts.

The school board will have a special meeting at Arcola Mills on Friday at 1 pm to discuss the results. The meeting is open to the public.

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