What Do Minnetonka School Board Candidates Think About Operating Levies?

In the coming years, Minnetonka Public Schools will have to tackle many complex issues. Patch asked this year’s School Board candidates about how they’d handle some of the major issues facing the district.

Today’s question is:

• What is the appropriate role for an operating levy in a school district’s budget?

Click here to see the full list of questions and read the candidates’ responses.

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John Holcomb

The operating levy was originally designed to be an “excess levy” for extra things a community wanted for their students, but, over the past 20 years, it has become essential to operating the basic program.  As 80% of our funding comes from the government (Federal and State), their economic situation has a direct impact on our schools funding. The voter-approved levy plays a major role in being able to provide the excellence that the district has created for every student.  It has been the difference between a district in poor shape and one that is helping students thrive and prepare for their future.  It is a way for residents to have a voice and determine support for the goals of the school board.

Deirdre Keller-Zucker

The State contributes approximately 75% of the General Fund with 23% coming from our local community and the balance coming from the federal government.    The historical underfunding of education combined with the increased pressures on the State budget will continue to impact our district. 

It is important to understand that local and state sources are controlled at the state level with limited control by the locally elected school board. 

A high-performing educational system is the foundation of a healthy, vibrant community and it requires investment.  In 2007, our community supported Minnetonka Public Schools by voting “yes” to a general operating referendum and a technology referendum. This enabled Minnetonka Public Schools to thrive and excel throughout the Great Recession. 

Pam Langseth

In the early 2000's, the Legislature of our State determined that operating levies would be the community's opportunity to determine whether or not it would provide funding targeted specifically to its own schools.  Today, all school districts in our state are dependent upon the revenue provided by our own communities through levies.  The good news is that these dollars stay in our district.  Funding from the State of Minnesota has not kept up with inflation in the past 10 years.  As a result, without the operating funds provided from our community, we would have to cut our budget by up to 30%.  This would be devastating.  As a School Board member, my job is to be a good fiscal steward of our community and ask for increases in funding only when truly required.  I will do all that I am able to insure that our district is well managed, financially sound, and prudent in all financial matters.

Heidi Garcia

Without the operating levy the Minnetonka School District couldn’t offer the educational excellence it is so well known for. The local contribution to the school district’s budget is a little over 20%.  Without that portion of our funding and the consistent underfunding by the state, many of our facility upgrades, programs and teachers wouldn’t be affordable.  As both financial and resource stewards the boards responsibility is to make prudent decisions with what we have to work with.  This is turn improves local property values and provides a return on investment for homeowners in our district.