Schools

Part 3: School Board Candidates Talk District Finances

In this five-part series, the 2011 school board candidates take turns answering questions about district finances, the achievement gap and other pertinent, school-related issues.

Editor's Note: Earlier this month, Patch submitted a series of five questions to each of the seven candidates running for four seats on the School District 199 School Board. Each day this week, we'll publish the candidates' answers to one of the questions we posed. To promote fairness, we asked each candidate to limit responses to 150 words; we reserved the right to edit for clarity and length if necessary. The general election is Nov. 8. Click on the candidates' names to view profiles of each candidate. Candidate Bridget Sutton has not yet turned in her responses to the questionnaire.

Inver Grove Heights Patch: Given the lack of reliable state funding for schools, what can/should the district do to ensure continued financial stability?

Education funding shifted from the property tax to the general fund under the presumption that it would “level the playing field,” and ensure that rich property districts wouldn't have “better” schools than property poorer districts. However moving to the general fund, which is based on income and sales tax, made school funding susceptible to the success of the economy. The districts then are reliant on communities and district levies for basic education funding—not just for “excess” as the name implies. Those able to pass large levies have the economic advantage that officials were trying to avoid in the first place.  When neighboring districts have a funding difference of hundreds of dollars per pupil, students are not afforded the same opportunities, choices and overall education. The state must resolve the issue of financial inequity in operations, technology and facilities.

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The community should pass the three referendums on the November 8 ballot. The school board must take their fiscal responsibilities very seriously to make sure funds are spent wisely and collaborate with businesses and citizens in the community could provide mentors and tutors for students that are "at risk." We should explore working with foundations that provide students and classrooms with supplies that the students and the district cannot afford.

I don't think that Minnesota schools can be protected from financial instability. Schools are at the mercy of the Minnesota legislature and the financial resources of their communities. Many other school districts have had to borrow money to cover the shortfall of revenue from the state. Inver Grove Heights has not had to borrow money yet. Our public schools have been an excellent steward of its financial resources. Citizens in Inver Grove Heights pay far fewer tax dollars to the schools than neighboring communities. It would be wonderful for our schools to be on the same financial footing as our neighbors. That may happen if the community supports the schools in the November referendums.

Our public schools depend on our citizens. We have to be open and honest with them. I think that the community will support honest proposals from the schools.

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During my eight years on the board of education we have been extremely fiscally responsible with the limited resources the district has been afforded. This board has expanded or added programs when needed, and also made reductions where necessary to spend the funds in the classroom—where they are most needed.  Efforts also need to continue to grow our district enrollment, as the state funding is tied to the number of students. The addition of free, all-day kindergarten to the district this past year enabled us to grow our numbers while giving our early learners additional opportunities in the important first year of school. The district should continue to explore shared services with neighboring districts. The area superintendents are meeting continuously to understand where we can help each other by avoiding duplicated services.

We need to use the funds wisely. Do not spend on unnecessary needs. Use the funds in areas that are really needed and will continue to improve academic learning abilities.

We must continue to prioritize our needs and review programs and procedures annually to ensure we are using district funds in the most effective and efficient way.

Our district already does a great job collaborating with other districts to reduce prices by purchasing items in bulk or sharing staff members. We need to look for other ways to partner with neighboring districts to offer professional development opportunities, for example, at reduced cost for the schools.

We need to enhance and create new partnerships with businesses in our community that can provide materials or services at reduced costs. We also need to make sure to encourage teachers and administrators to apply for grants from state and federal agencies, as well as other organizations.


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