PAYNESVILLE — The Paynesville Area School District is asking voters to approve an operating levy Nov. 2 that could bring in more than $500,000 a year for 10 years for school operations.
The $531-per-pupil levy would be indexed to the rate of inflation each year.
Paynesville’s need for the additional funding grows from the basic reasons listed by other school districts. State aid has not kept up with inflation for years, and reimbursements for special education services do not cover costs, which are always increasing.
“We are really hopeful that the community sees value in continuing the programming we have,” said Superintendent Janell Bullard in a recent interview.
The district hasn’t identified any specific budget cuts that might come if the levy is turned down, Bullard said.
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The district could go back to its voters in next year’s election, Bullard said.
However, if the levy does fail, she estimated the district would need to cut nearly $200,000 from the budget at the end of the current school year.
Another $400,000 in budget cuts could be necessary the year after that, she said.
The district currently has a $39.25-per-pupil operating levy, which will expire in a year. That levy is currently one of the lowest among neighboring school districts, according to information provided by the district .
Two-thirds of the money from the proposed levy will be used for student instruction and another 15% for student support services. The remaining 19% is to be used for buildings, administration and other items.
Seasonal recreational properties do not pay on the operating levy, and agricultural land is taxed only on the value of a house, garage and one acre.
Early voting by absentee ballot is already available at the school district office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be available through Nov. 1.
On Nov. 2, in-person voting will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at the Paynesville Area Center, 1105 W. Main St. in Paynesville.
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The state has two programs for tax refunds or tax deferral for property owners who qualify. Information is available at revenue.state.mn.us .
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