Guest Editorial: If the levy breaks, so may Duluth schools
Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: Opinion
The following is a guest editorial by UMD student Amanda Powers.
I am a student at UMD, lifetime resident of Duluth and graduate of Duluth Central High School. It's as all of these things that I am terrified for the future of my home and its schools.
Duluth is on the verge of making or breaking its School District budget. The deciding factor: the operating levy of the Nov. 4 election.
If the levy doesn't pass, the district will have to make $7 million in cuts. What's on the chopping block? Everything from reducing the school year by 29 days via lengthening the remaining school days (to nearly nine hours a day) to cutting all extracurricular activities (sports, drama, music, clubs, etc.).
Entire educational experiences may be stripped to their bare minimum keeping only the basics of math, science, language arts, and social studies. Imagine your 13 years of schooling without sports, music, drama or even electives! Where would you be today if you had not had the support of your team, the camaraderie of music or the friends from drama? I, personally, cannot imagine surviving school without those experiences.
So why am I telling you? Because if you vote in Duluth, you have the unique opportunity to make a difference by voting "Yes, Yes, Yes" for the operating levy Nov. 4.
The operating levy has three progressive levels to vote for. Question one keeps the current rate of $365 per student and would not increase taxes. While helpful, it still forces the district to make $3 million in cuts. Question two gives the schools $700 per pupil and only increases taxes about $5/month. Question three allows for $1200 per student and increases taxes about $13.50/month. To vote for Question three, you must also vote "Yes" for questions one and two.
The operating levy will be used to fund extracurricular programs, in/after-school programs, books and materials for the classroom, specialists, teacher support and staff support.
To find out more information or become actively involved, please check out www.voteyesforkids.org or email voteyesforkids@gmail.com.
Every vote counts. Vote "Yes, Yes, Yes" Nov. 4!
I am a student at UMD, lifetime resident of Duluth and graduate of Duluth Central High School. It's as all of these things that I am terrified for the future of my home and its schools.
Duluth is on the verge of making or breaking its School District budget. The deciding factor: the operating levy of the Nov. 4 election.
If the levy doesn't pass, the district will have to make $7 million in cuts. What's on the chopping block? Everything from reducing the school year by 29 days via lengthening the remaining school days (to nearly nine hours a day) to cutting all extracurricular activities (sports, drama, music, clubs, etc.).
Entire educational experiences may be stripped to their bare minimum keeping only the basics of math, science, language arts, and social studies. Imagine your 13 years of schooling without sports, music, drama or even electives! Where would you be today if you had not had the support of your team, the camaraderie of music or the friends from drama? I, personally, cannot imagine surviving school without those experiences.
So why am I telling you? Because if you vote in Duluth, you have the unique opportunity to make a difference by voting "Yes, Yes, Yes" for the operating levy Nov. 4.
The operating levy has three progressive levels to vote for. Question one keeps the current rate of $365 per student and would not increase taxes. While helpful, it still forces the district to make $3 million in cuts. Question two gives the schools $700 per pupil and only increases taxes about $5/month. Question three allows for $1200 per student and increases taxes about $13.50/month. To vote for Question three, you must also vote "Yes" for questions one and two.
The operating levy will be used to fund extracurricular programs, in/after-school programs, books and materials for the classroom, specialists, teacher support and staff support.
To find out more information or become actively involved, please check out www.voteyesforkids.org or email voteyesforkids@gmail.com.
Every vote counts. Vote "Yes, Yes, Yes" Nov. 4!
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 16
Donald Kinsey
posted 10/15/08 @ 6:31 PM CST
Restore Our Schools, a local grassroots organization would request the assistance from students attending UMD in helping our community by fighting to stop ISD 709's Red Plan, a plan that is and will continue to inflict massive financial burdens on the residents of this community for the next 20 years. (Continued…)
Kirsten
posted 10/15/08 @ 7:45 PM CST
It is absolutely imperative that it be noted there is absolutely no correlation between this bill and the Red Plan for Duluth Schools. If this bill does not get passed, due to the deficit in Duluth's economy, the lack of continued state funding, and the deficit in our nation's economy, our schools funds will significantly decrease regardless of which plan the school board implements. (Continued…)
Amanda
posted 10/15/08 @ 9:24 PM CST
I agree that the Red Plan was not handled in the most tactful manner and that a lot of Duluthians are upset with it. However, angry or not, it does not negate that Duluth Public Schools are in dire need of local funding to support programs (like sports, music, arts, etc), materials, books, teachers, and staff. (Continued…)
Karen
posted 10/16/08 @ 9:46 PM CST
Not allowing the citizens a vote on the largest bonding issue in the history of MN in order to push a massive unnecessary makeover of schools is way past not "tactful. (Continued…)
Dana
posted 10/16/08 @ 10:46 PM CST
I graduated from Central and what this Superintendent is doing to our Schools in Duluth is horrible. He wants everyone to think he cares about the students but he doesn't - in fact his threats about if we don't vote for this levy being a disaster is not true. (Continued…)
Lindsey
Lindsey
posted 10/16/08 @ 11:04 PM CST
They are using us to try and pass this vote knowing that there will be a ton of college students voting this year. Don't vote on something unless you understand what it really means. (Continued…)
LARRY
posted 10/16/08 @ 11:51 PM CST
It is imperative that we defend our right to vote! All other currently discussed matters would have had their due, if that had ocurred.
Jim
posted 10/17/08 @ 1:03 AM CST
It's time to think about the other 75,000 living in this city struggling to pay increased utilities, food, gas. Many are on a fixed income watching retirement accounts dwindle. (Continued…)
Barb
posted 10/17/08 @ 9:06 AM CST
The school board and Mr. Dixon igonored the citizens right to vote on the Red Plan. My No,No,No vote lies squarely on the shoulders of the members who decided I didn't need to vote on this expensive and expansive plan. (Continued…)
Karen
posted 10/17/08 @ 10:44 AM CST
The future is bright when a young student like Lindsey can use critical thinking skills to assess what is really going on and to take responsible action. (Continued…)
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