Referendum Levy Facts

School Board News
1. Board approves potential cuts
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board recently approved a list of potential reductions in staff, programs and services. These reductions will be incorporated into the budget for the 2008-09 school year if referendum levy questions going to the voters November 6 are not approved.

Without the levy, the district will face
a $41 to $42 million deficit for the 2008-09 school year. This figure includes the loss of approximately $25-$26 million in referendum levy dollars from the five-year levy approved by voters in 2002 that is now expiring. It also includes approximately $4 million from the impact of inflation over the five years of the levy, and approximately $12 million resulting from inflationary costs not covered by state funding.

Totaling $42.3 million, the reductions include closing up to six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school, which would change all attendance area boundaries in the district. Also on the list is elimination of 507 regular education teachers, which would increase class size by six to 12 students, depending on the grade and school. Another 239 positions would be cut including administrators, special education staff, instructional coaches not funded by grants, technology support teachers, counselors, secretaries, paraprofessionals and custodians.

The reductions would result in increased class sizes at all grade levels. Class size would increase by six to 12 students at the elementary level, depending on the grade and number of classes at each grade in a particular school. Middle school classes would increase an average of 8.5 students and high school classes an average of seven students. These averages are based on simulations that applied the cuts in staff to actual schools of varying levels and sizes to determine the outcome.

The cuts would also result in loss of courses and programs for students. At the elementary level, specialty teachers for one area - art, music or physical education - would be eliminated as well as the Talent Development Program teachers funded by the 2002 levy.

At the middle and high school level it is more difficult to say which specific courses would be eliminated because it would depend, in part, on student registration. However, students would have fewer opportunities to take electives. At both middle and high school level, study halls supervised by paraprofessionals may be substituted for some elective choices. A new high school program schedule would be implemented that would reduce the number of class terms a student would take from 64 to 48.

Middle school courses supported by the 2002 levy, such as advanced math, as well as some electives would be eliminated. Some elective and low enrollment high school courses such as International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and career and technical education courses would likely be eliminated.

High school activities, such as sports, debate and marching band, would be affected by higher fees. Fees would likely increase to cover the actual cost of offering the activity. The increase would vary by activity, but would average approximately $500. Programs that do not remain viable with the higher fees would be eliminated. The fees students currently pay do not cover the full cost of the activity.

The board took comment from citizens who attended public meetings Sept. 13 and 18 to comment on potential cuts. Board members announced their intention to formally approve a list of cuts so voters would know exactly what is at stake when they vote. The board took this approach for the 2002 levy after voters in 2001 said they didn't fully understand what would be cut if they voted no.

As informal discussion of potential cuts has circulated in the district over the past few weeks, some citizens characterized the cuts as a threat or said they didn't believe the district would actually carry them out if the levy was not approved. During the public meetings Superintendent Roger Giroux stressed the reality. "It's frustrating to hear, 'they're bluffing.' Folks, it's $42 million we won't have next year. Regardless of the vote, we have to provide the best education possible," he said.

Most citizens who spoke during the hearings said they preferred no cuts. Some suggested that the district first cut the "nickels and dimes" and cut administrators before cutting items that directly impact students. Prior to the 2002 levy, the district made cuts year after year, trying to avoid items that directly impacted students. Since the salaries of teachers and others who work directly with students are the largest share of the budget, it is difficult to make cuts without eliminating teachers and other positions that directly affect students.

"The board has always said, 'try to manage through without any cuts to students,' and we have always tried to do that," said Dr. Giroux. "People in the hearings said, 'watch your nickels and dimes.' You bet. We have always done that." The district's financial records bear this out. Independent auditors who review the district's finances each year have characterized the district as a "low cost, best buy" for providing an "above average program at a below average cost."

Nevertheless, the board directed the superintendent to find small ways to economize. Dr. Giroux promised to "capture anything that will put another teacher in front of the kids."

More information about the referendum levy and ballot proposal as well a potential cuts will be mailed to citizens prior to the election. It is also available on the Web site. Click on the following link to reach the Levy 2007 section:
www.anoka.k12.mn.us/levy2007