WHAT WAS PASSED ON NOVEMBER 5TH, 2019?

On November 5, 2019, District voters approved two ballot questions:

  • An operating levy increase from $724 per pupil to $1,349 per pupil, which will generate $1.041 million for Litchfield’s annual operating budget for the next 10 years.

  • A $33 million building bond referendum that addresses facilities investments to remodel our existing schools to meet educational needs, improve school safety for our students, and maintain aging building infrastructure.

THE PROCESS

The School Board convened a Community Task Force to seek community input in the spring of 2019. The Community Task Force was comprised of 38 members of the community, which met in a series of seven (7) meetings over the course of three (3) months from March 2019 - May 2019. The district also held community listening sessions in the Fall of 2018 and surveyed community residents in May 2019 to discuss issues facing the school district and possible solutions. In addition, school board members were present at school conferences, to engage in conversations with parents and answer questions about facilities needs.

Based on our information gathering, we learned that our
community's priorities for school spending are:

  • Educational programming and space needs

  • Safety and security needs

  • Physical facility and infrastructure needs

  • Activity and co-curricular needs

  • Community needs

OUR DISTRICT’S NEEDS AND PLAN

THE NEED FOR QUESTION #1: LOCAL SUPPORT FOR LOCAL EDUCATION

  • While most education funding comes from the State of Minnesota and the federal government, local residents can supplement our school’s operating budget through an operating levy to maintain our current programming and class sizes.

  • Federal and state funding for education has not kept up with inflation, new mandates, or the educational needs of our students, resulting in diminishing support for student education.

  • In Minnesota, most school districts rely on referendum or local optional revenue to support daily operational expenses including, educational materials, teacher and staff salaries, and school supplies.

THE NEEDS FOR QUESTION #2: VARIOUS FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

  • Cramped classrooms and wasted spaces limit student learning.

  • Outdated building entrances are a security risk.

  • Our aging buildings need infrastructure improvements.

THE COST

 

Increasing our operating levy for the next 10 years by $625 per pupil will mean that our school operating budget will increase by $1.041 million.  

This will result in an increase in property taxes by $11.84/month for a home valued at $137,000.

 
 

Remodeling, safety improvements and maintenance projects at Lake Ripley Elementary, Litchfield Middle School and Litchfield High School buildings will cost approximately $33 million.

This will result in a property tax impact of $9.53/month for a $137,000 home.