Board approves 2008 levy referendum
District will ask voters this fall for $60 million

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis Public Schools Board of Education approved a levy referendum for $60 million at its regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Approval of this resolution means that on election day this fall, voters in Minneapolis will have the opportunity to vote for or against the referendum. If approved, the referendum will go into effect for the 2009-2010 school year and will last eight years, ending in the 2016-2017 school year.

The current referendum, which expires in 2009, calls for an annual levy of $29 million – all of which has been dedicated to preventing overall increases in class size in the district. The new referendum, if approved by voters, will dedicate half of the funds – or approximately $30 million – to managing class sizes. The other half of the funds will cover a number of items the district has designated as high priorities.

Among these items are:

• Funding to help students develop early reading skills, fulfilling the district’s goal of having all children reading at grade level by third grade.
• Funding for math and science, fulfilling the district’s goal of preparing all children for algebra by eighth grade.
• Funding for technology and updated textbooks.

Accountability will also be a major commitment in the new referendum. To this end, an independent organization will be chosen to audit and monitor the use of referendum funds to ensure appropriate application.

If passed by voters, the new referendum will increase property taxes for the average homeowner in Minneapolis by about $17 per month.