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The district’s $6.4 million-per-year operating levy passed by 53 percent, but two other levies for buildings and technology failed. The six-year levy will replace the last year of the current levy and generate an additional $3.7 million next school year.
“It’s one step forward,” Superintendent Paul Durand said Tuesday night. “We’ll take what they’ve entrusted us with and move ahead.”
Prior to the referendum, the school board approved nearly $3 million in cuts for the 2006-07 school year — including the elimination of all athletics, about 40 staff positions and one day of the school week. The board has not yet committed to rescinding them.
Durand said Wednesday he won’t recommend the board rescind cuts until a financial audit is complete next month.
“I want to have a clearer picture of the current status of our finances,” he said.
This year, the board also cut a combined $2 million from the 2004-05 and 2005-06 budgets, including cutting two days of kindergarten per week. A few staff positions were reinstated.
Board members have said they will decide what to bring back or start new on a year-to-year basis and won’t begin any program they can’t continue for the life of the levy. Based on current projections, the district estimates it can spend an additional $3 million over current expenses over the next six years and still have a $2 million balance.
“We’re not going to just jump into reinstating programs,” Durand said. “We’re going to take our time to be thoughtful.”
The three-part referendum was the only item on the ballot. The second question, which sought $2.5 million per year for facility projects, failed by 191 votes. The third, which asked for $450,000 per year for technology upgrades, failed by 14 votes.
“(On question one), we’re within 200 votes — I think that’s pretty close. Question three is a really hard one to take,” Durand said.
With the money that’s typically available for capital or technology projects, Durand said the district won’t be able to address the scope of the issues it wanted to — even if the board chooses to use some operating funds for things like textbooks, which are currently paid for with capital dollars.
The district receives about $930,000 annually for capital projects, but can spend the money on technology or textbooks. This year, the district budgeted $152,000 for facility and grounds repairs, $140,000 for textbooks, $48,315 for copy machine repairs, $81,050 for technology, $420,540 to pay debt on energy savings projects and $100,000 for the high school media center renovation.
A committee charged with prioritizing the district’s long-term facility needs will still meet in spite of the failure of the capital improvements levy. Durand said the group might examine what facility issues are most important to the public.
The superintendent said several people have approached him about doing special fundraisers for technology projects.
School board member Kelly Herold said he was impressed that people chose to support the levy in spite of recent natural disasters and surging energy prices.
The district staff is very positive about the success of the operating levy, Durand said. “People are just really happy and feel the community gave a vote of confidence.”
Reporter Shannon Fiecke can be reached at (507) 453-3519 or shannon.fiecke@winonadailynews.com.
Results of area levies
Lewiston-Altura - Passed
Yes: 396, No: 390
Total: $215,000
Per student: $315
In addition to current
$500 per-student levy
Mabel-Canton - Passed
Yes: 479 No: 229
Per student: $1,208
Revokes current $508
per-student levy
Spring Grove - Passed
Yes: 359 No: 205
Per student: $1,388
Revokes current $838
per-student levy
Wabasha-Kellogg - Passed
Yes: 1,011 No: 906
Per student: $989
In addition to current $126 per-student levy
Mabel-Canton School Board election
Votes
Brian Aberg (i) 488
Cristal Adkins (i) 454
Troy Soiney 561
Dave Swenson (i) 541
