District #241 Referendum: More Facts

Source: Power Point presentation on the district’s website.(PDF)
Operating Levy Referendum. November 6th, 2007 (Vote “Yes, Yes!”)

Ballot Question #1
To increase the school district’s general education revenue by replacing the current operating levy, that will end in June 2008, with a $869 per pupil levy for the next seven years. The
average valued home ($100,000) would have a $96 per year increase if question #1 is approved.

Ballot Question #2
Increase the per pupil amount in Question 1 by $89, for a total of $958 per pupil unit. The average valued home ($100,000) would have a $125 per year increase if question 2 is approved. Ballot question #2 will pass ONLY if ballot question #1 passes with a majority of YES votes, AND ballot question #2 passes with a majority of YES votes. You must vote on question one before you can vote on question two.

For the average valued property ($100,000), residential, commercial/industrial or apartments, the tax increase would be $125 per year or $10.42 per month. Taxable Market Value: $50,000 property, $64/year - $5.34/month; $175,000 property, $220/year - $18.33/month; $250,000 property, $316/year - $26.33/month.
Farm land is not taxed, only homestead.

Recent History of Reductions to Projected Expenses
“Cutting to live within our means”
1990-91 Reduction $610,474
1991-92 Reduction $1,003,700
1992-93 Reduction $331,582
1993-94 Reduction $31,362
1994-95 Reduction $806,838
1997-98 Reduction $521,727
1998-99 Reduction $950,000
1999-00 Reduction $265,659
2000-01 Reduction $763,288
2002-03 Reduction $1,100,000
2004-05 Reduction $420,000
2007-08 Reduction $1,000,805
Total $7,796,435
Information Source: ISD 241 School Board Resolutions

General Fund Expenditures for the past ten years with % +/-
1996-97 $25,383,833
1997-98 $25,165,533 -0.86%
1998-99 $25,033,848 -0.52%
1999-00 $25,217,540 0.73%
2000-01 $26,617,042 5.55%
2001-02 $27,465,567 3.19%
2002-03 $27,234,270 -0.84%
2003-04 $30,206,413 10.91%*
2004-05 $30,720,669 1.70%
2005-06 $31,612,295 2.90%
average 2.53%
average w/out 2003-04 1.48%
* approved referendum implemented:
- added all-day-K and reduced class sizes
- health insurance costs increased by 14%

Other resources:

• 2007 Referendum Mailer (PDF)
• 2006 Budget Reduction Plan (PDF)