Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools issued the following announcement on Oct. 15.
Exactly 3 weeks from today (Tuesday, November 5) is Election Day, and the school district has an important question on the ballot again this year--in fact It's the ONLY question on the ballot. The district is asking residents to vote on an operating levy referendum that will generate $750 per student for the next 5 years. The funds will go towards operating expenses such as employee salaries, supplies, utilities, programs and activities. Please note, the $750 is not everyone's tax impact on their property--see the tax impact chart on the district's website listed below.
Yes the district went out last year for funding and it was voted down. $1.3 million in budget reductions were made for this school year. However, the problem has not gone away. Funding from the state is not keeping up with inflation, and districts across the state are well underfunded on special education mandates. If the levy fails again this year, we will need to cut another $2.9 million for the 2020-21 school year.
Some have told the district to use funds from the 2014 bond to help with the current funding issues. A levy referendum is different from the 2014 bond referendum where voters approved funding for classroom additions, safe/secure entrances for Discovery, Tatanka and Hanover, technology upgrades and 23 acres of land developed for BHS activities (and physical education space), roof replacements, parking lot repairs and more. An easy way to remember the two different funding sources is, Bonds are for Building and Levies are for Learning.
It's important to educate yourself on the topic to make an informed decision. To read more information about this very important election, visit our website: https://www.bhmschools.org/bhm-operating-levy-election-tues
Original source can be found here.
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