District 547 Press Release

             August 4, 2008, the Parkers Prairie School Board  voted unanimously to seek an operating levy. An operating levy is used for the general operation of the school district. This action asks the taxpayers to consider increasing the existing level of support by $797.85 per pupil in a public vote on November 4, 2008. (This is the per pupil amount and is not the amount of increase for individual real estate taxpayers.)  Based on current enrollment figures and current real estate tax values the new revenues will generate an additional $405,387 annually in local taxes for the school district over the next ten years.

              Local voters rejected two prior requests in 2006 and 2007 for a lesser amount of $477 per pupil. The increase of $797.85 reflects the rising cost of running a school system in light of inflation.  There is also a gap between what is needed to run the school district and what is received through state, federal and current local taxes.

              In recent years the Board has made cuts to reduce costs. Simultaneously they have spent down the district’s reserves in order to sustain programs while avoiding tax increases.

              Taxpayers are being asked to roll the existing levy of $402.15 per pupil which expires in four years into a new single ten year levy of $1200. The technical term for this procedure is “revoke and replace”. If the referendum is successful, taxpayers will authorize a new taxing level but will experience an increase based only on the $797.85 per pupil. The existing levy of $402.15 per pupil levy is already reflected in district residents’ tax statements.

              The School Board bases its request on the following three needs:

• Sustaining the quality of education the Parkers Prairie community expects
• Avoiding deficit spending
• Building a reserve to provide a cushion against losses in state aid due to declining enrollment

             District voters will have an opportunity to view a sample ballot prior to the election and will be given opportunities to attend meetings regarding the referendum.  Additionally voters will be able to receive assistance to calculate the increase in their real estate taxes via a website provided by the District’s financial advisor, Ehlers & Associates.  For example, Ehlers & Associates has calculated that taxes on a $100,000 home will be increased by approximately  $197 per year.  Homeowners who qualify may be able to recoup some their taxes through the Minnesota Property Refund Program (circuit breaker).

             The School Board believes that the future of our school system rests in the hands of our voters, so citizens are encouraged to become well-informed and turn out on November 4.