Stillwater School District Will Have to Make Cuts With or Without a New Levy

Stillwater Area School District Superintendent Tom Nelson informed school board members tonight that the district will be faced with a budget deficit of between $8-10 million by the end of next school year.

To solve the problem, Nelson advised board members to seek additional funding from the community while making budget reductions. 

“The reality more than 70 percent of our funds come from the state, and we can’t wait for the state to fix its funding problems,” Nelson said. “We have some difficult decisions to make, and we’ll have to work with our communities as they have the final say.” 

Options to address budget challenges
Nelson presented school board members with three options to address the district’s budget challenges.

* Cut the budget by $8-$10 million for the start of the 2012-2013 school year, which represents more than 10 percent of the district’s overall operating budget.

* Revoke the current operating levy and replace it with a new operating levy to the state maximum levy cap (which would provide $1,567 per student), and reduce expenditures by $2 million to $4 million.

* Revoke the current operating levy and replace it with a new operating levy somewhere below the state maximum levy cap, and make up the difference with budget reductions.

Nelson recommended the second option to board members.

He encouraged the board to place a new operating levy on the ballot in November that would raise an additional $602 per student above the current levy of $965 per student.

The new levy, if approved, would provide Stillwater schools with about the same level of funding as White Bear Lake, Mounds View and Roseville. In addition to the district's levy, as much as $4 million in budget reductions would also be necessary.

“Our students are currently at a disadvantage in that they are not receiving the same level of funding provided to students in other districts,” Nelson said. 

Benefits of Passing a Levy:

The benefits of passing a levy, Nelson said:

* Maintain appropriate class sizes;

* Add art classes in elementary schools;

* Enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs for kids in grades K-12;

* Provide more interventions to ensure students are successful in the classroom.

Budget Process:

June 23-Aug. 1: Conduct focus groups and public metings

July 14: School Board meeting to discuss the levy

Aug. 11: School Board meeting to make decision on referendum ballot language

Nov. 8: School levy referendum vote

Winter 2011: Budget reduction process

Additional ballot questions

In addition to a new operating levy, Nelson also recommended the school board put two additional questions on the ballot this fall: One to provide funding for technology, and another to renovate and add science classrooms. 

Nelson recommended the school board include a question on the ballot that would provide $1 million per year for technology. With this funding the district could provide more technology for our students, such as tablets, iPods and laptops. The technology levy would provide a sustainable source of funding over 10 years, and would ensure that all students had access to the same technology regardless of which elementary or junior high school they attend.

The final ballot question would provide resources to address concerns with the district’s current science facilities. Science labs at the high school and at Oak-Land Junior High are undersized and outdated. Safety becomes a concern as too many students are crowded into undersized classrooms, Nelson told board members. 

“Our science labs are in dire need of updating,” Nelson said. “They were the first thing I noticed when I came to Stillwater. The existing labs have issues with space, safety, inadequate equipment and out-dated technology. Quality science instruction is essential in today’s world. We need to do better for our kids.” 

The $18.1 million bond would renovate existing science labs at the two schools, as well as add additional lab space. In addition, a specialized STEM lab would be constructed in each building. Finally, the bond referendum would also provide funding to improve air quality and ventilation at six district schools. 

School board to decide on ballot questions
The school board is expected to make a decision regarding a fall referendum in July or August.

The next levy discussion will take place during the July 14 school board meeting, which is open to the public and begins at 7:15 p.m. at Stillwater City Hall. You can also share your comments and ideas online at http://conversations.stillwater.k12.mn.us.