North-metro levy details

Three north-metro school districts are among the record 114 around the state going to voters on Nov. 8 seeking approval for levies.

Last fall, 42 of 76 school districts in the state that went to voters for more levy authority got at least some of what they requested.

Levy: Two levy referendums which are due to expire at the end of this school year are up for renewal for another nine years: one for operating expenses, one for capital and technology spending.

Impact: If passed, the levies will allow the district to maintain current programs and staffing levels and continue with facilities and technology maintenance, said Rochel Manders, director of finance.

Cost: The operating levy would renew funding at $412.52 in per-pupil spending, or $1.2 million annually for nine years. The capital projects levy would be renewed at a slightly lower rate of $741,000 annually for nine years, or a decrease of about $5 in the taxes collected on a $150,000 home.

If the operating levy does not pass, the district will look to cut between 22 and 25 staff positions, Manders said.

Levy: Approval of the operating levy referendum would authorize a $275-per-student increase in the annual levy for four years, but that would be offset dollar-for-dollar by a reduction in the capital levy.

Cost: The increase of $275 per pupil would be offset by a decrease in debt service, Dixon said. "Basically, one bucket is going up and one bucket is going down." If approved, the levy would generate an additional $1.8 million per year for four years. If the levy fails, Dixon said further reductions would likely occur in the 2012-13 school year and affect programs and class sizes.

Levy: Two levy referendums, one to renew an existing operating levy and one to increase technology spending, are on the ballot.

Impact: The operating levy would extend the current levy of $524 per pupil, generating $2.8 million a year, for seven years. The technology levy would bring in about $1 million a year for eight years to allow the district to implement a replacement schedule for computers and other classroom technology, said Superintendent Jeff Ronneberg.

Cost: Approval of the extension of the operating levy would not raise taxes for property owners. Approval of the technology levy would result in about $60 per year increase for the average $200,000 home in the district, said Ronneberg.