Our district has seen a great deal of change over the years, of which we celebrate. We have a beautiful, diverse population with over 87 dialects spoken, nearly 46 % students of color, and we are the 5th largest district in the state, with over 21,000 students in and out our doors daily.
With celebrations, we have challenges. Funding shifts throughout the years, and the way we now have to fund our basic operational dollars, has required many districts, including ours, to seek levies just to operate. This is a different way to fund education compared to the "old days" when levies were used for excess funding needs. We now have to go to taxpayers at the local level, seeking a vote to keep our doors open, to pay utilities...to pay our precious teachers!
Many of our taxpayers don't understand the changes that have taken place over the years. Many believe that when there is a levy question, it is just the district asking for more money for their "fluff and stuff", when in fact, there has been a shift in the formula, from the state level, requiring us to ask for dollars at the polls.
To add to the confusion, we have a temporary umbrella, called stimulus dollars, of nearly $13.5 million to offset unallotment shifts and other funding discrepancies. That umbrella is gone in 2 years, and in that time, more schools will go out for levies, which already over 91% of our districts in the state have!
What will happen when the umbrella is torn, and we are left to the elements again?
We need you, and parents alike, to be a voice to our state and nation, to help put education back in the forefront.
When you have great education, and great early education (as research from the Chamber and others continue to reveal), you have healthy communities, a stonger workforce, and a stronger economy. Investing in our youth is a return you will see.
For more info or to join our parent run Parent Legislative Network, email District279PLN@gmail.com .
Here is a clip form Parents United that stresses the importance of coming together.
Why Parents United from Parents United - Minnesota on Vimeo.
For more information on the parent run District 279 Parent Legislative Network, contact District279PLN@gmail.com
