Murray County Central seeks referendum

SLAYTON -- Murray County Central Superintendent Steve Jones is optimistic about the chances of the operating referendum passing on election day.

"We are getting a lot of interest," he said. "A lot of questions."

Earlier this year, the MCC school board approved a resolution asking for an operating levy for an additional $396,000 each year for seven years to fund school operations. That amount breaks down to roughly $450 per student.

"The general fund reserve balances are shrinking based upon a number of years of no increases from the state," Jones explained. "There is less revenue for the school district, operating costs are increasing and utilities are up."

Unlike the last referendum vote almost 10 years ago to add new technology, the funds this referendum would bring in would be used strictly to maintain the district.

"We made over $200,000 in cuts, but that is not enough to allow us to maintain," Jones said.

If the levy does not pass, another $800,000 in cuts would have to be made over the next two years -- a significant amount from a $6 million budget.

"Right now with our test scores and the state averages we are in great shape," he added. "Cuts will affect our academic abilities. Everyone would feel it."

The results of not passing the levy would mean less course offerings, less technology and the elimination of many extra-curricular activities. The music department would go, as would physical education and health classes. Class sizes would have to be increased.

"MCC residents have always supported smaller class sizes," Jones said.

The kindergarten class for the 2006-2007 school year was predicted to have 57 students, but in reality has 68.

"It is a great problem for us to have," Jones said with a laugh, "but it really highlights our funding problem."

Kindergarten is only funded by the state at 57 percent, which Jones finds frustrating.

"Early education is the key to continued education," he said. "But the state of Minnesota refuses to fund kindergarten at 100 percent."

Jones believed there is a trust factor between the school and the community, and said the atmosphere at the school is good.

"Teachers and kids go out of this building feeling good about what's going on," he said. "We're back up to 80 kids in junior and senior high choir. There were 60 kids in Knowledge Bowl last year."

As Jones talked about the positive changes in the school, his enthusiasm was impossible to miss.

"We're offering nine college courses now," he said. "Seven are new this year. The interest has been great."

An analysis of the tax impact of the potential referendum levy shows a home with a estimated market value of $75,000 would have an additional $118 in taxes due to the levy.

"We're not asking for the sky," Jones said.

Many of the parents he has spoken to don't object to the amount, but Jones is more concerned about those who don't have school age children or grandchildren at MCC.

"How do you get the people that don't have a direct tie?" Jones asked. "Well, it is a community school, and this is the price you pay for a community."

Jones said he is open to meeting with people about the referendum and answering any questions.