Minneapolis discusses $60 million school levy

Last update: May 14, 2008 - 11:06 PM

Class sizes and costs dominated the discussion Wednesday night during a meeting to discuss a $60 million Minneapolis schools levy that will be on the ballot this fall.

More than 50 people attended the meeting to learn more from school officials and supporters about the levy the district is asking voters to approve in a Nov. 4 referendum.

The measure that would double the current excess levy would be used to maintain current average class sizes -- 26 for grades K-3 and 32 for other grades -- and to pay for key initiatives.

While some raised the issue about why $60 million would not be enough to lower class sizes, others asked how the district came up with that amount. Panelists said a sample of parents and residents recently polled picked that amount from a range of figures.

"The biggest issue we have is that we can't please everybody," said Courtney Cushing Kiernat, a mother of two kids in the district and co-chair of the referendum campaign committee, a volunteer group. "But at the same time, we know what has to be done."

The proposal would cost Minneapolis homeowners an extra $17 month for the excess levy on a home valued at $256,000. Minneapolis homeowners now pay $15 a month for an excess levy that was approved in 2000 and expires next year.

TERRY COLLINS

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