Editorial: School referendums: study issues carefully

When Minnesotans go to the polls to select mayors, school board and city council members next week, a good number of them will also decide whether to raise taxes for schools. Nearly 100 school districts across the state are seeking tax hikes that would, if passed, add millions to school budgets.

In Anoka-Hennepin, for example, a four-part tax hike request would raise between $30 million and $50 million over five years. Robbinsdale voters will decide whether to extend an existing $13.1 million annual levy and add $9.7 million a year in levy funds over 10 years. And in Westonka, a $877,000 levy proposal will be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

A recent survey conducted by the Association of Metropolitan School District indicated that more than 30 Twin Cities schools would have to cut $173 million from their budgets in 2008-09 unless voters approve property tax requests -- and the state increases aid to schools. District officials predict that even if voters approve all the requests, metro schools would face a cumulative shortfall of $50 million.

So how can citizens wade through complex school finance questions to decide whether to vote yes or no? Circumstances vary among districts, so there is no uniform formula to determine the legitimacy of a tax levy request.

Many referendums are being sought to cover basic operating funds for employee salaries and classroom materials. Some will include bond issues for new buildings or renovations, while about a third want to extend existing levies. School budget reductions since 2000 have resulted in everything from reduced bus service to staff cuts, and some of the ballot questions seek to restore or maintain current programs.

Voters can't become instant budget experts in the next seven days, but they can do a little homework to assess past performance. In the case of levy renewals, find out if the funds raised from previous levies have been used effectively and for the purposes stated by the districts at the time of earlier votes.

As writers in today's Opinion Exchange section point out, voters should ask about academic goals, how educators plan to meet them and what methods are planned to evaluate and report progress to the public. Weigh whether you think the district has the systems in place to deliver results in student achievement and other important measures of progress in your schools.

Many voters will find detailed information about proposed levies on their district's websites.

Along with considering the arguments for and against the levy requests, voters should consider their own values. How important is it to assure that all children have an opportunity to be well educated? What advantages will the state's economy and society generally reap from producing smart, well-prepared graduates? Is the state spending too much or too little on education?