Z-M headed for fall referendum

• PHOTO: Supt. Rich Meyerhofer

Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District Supt. Rich Meyerhofer talks Monday at a public meeting to discuss the November referendum.

Talk about it

MAZEPPA - Dwindling state dollars, fewer students and rising costs have prompted Zumbrota-Mazeppa school officials to seek additional taxpayer help.

Voters in the district will go to the polls Nov. 3 facing a referendum question that would plug an additional $250 per pupil into coffers. Without the infusion, Z-M officials say the district would be forced to make deep cuts and risk entering statutory operating debt, a financial condition that requires a state-approved cure.

"I didn't think it was a responsible position to not do something for the district," School Board member Marie Josselyn said Monday during a levy presentation to a group of 14 at the district's middle school.

The current $700 per-pupil levy expires this school year. Without a levy renewal, administrators say the district must carve $845,000 from its 2010-11 budget.

How to address the expiring levy posed a challenging question to School Board members.

"We kind of wrestled with that a little bit," School Board member Jeff LaGosh said. "What we decided to do was let the patrons of the district decide if they're committed to the top-notch education of the district."

District officials say state education funding -- which they say has not kept pace with inflation and has decreased over time -- is to blame, along with other cost increases and a decrease of 35 students since 2006. Per-pupil funding decreases as enrollment declines.

"We get paid for fannies in seats," LaGosh said.

There will be only one question on the ballot. Renewing the levy at its current level will not be an option.

According to Z-M calculations, the levy increase would mean a $97 annual property tax increase for a $150,000 home. If approved, district officials say the district will remain financially stable and can explore additional programs for gifted and talented students and all-day, every-day kindergarten.

Z-M Supt. Rich Meyerhofer called the levy proposal "a small, small increase" compared to other requests. He said groups and organizations have been receptive of the proposal, leaving him "cautiously optimistic" the referendum will pass.

"Both communities have always been supportive," Meyerhofer said of school funding issues.

If the referendum fails, 10 teaching positions, a social worker, junior high and some high school athletics would be among items on the chopping block, district leaders said.

"There isn't any program that is not going to be on the table," Meyerhofer said of potential cuts.

He said no organized opposition to the referendum has surfaced. Audience members at Monday's meeting peppered School Board members for information about the referendum.

That included former School Board member Ken Magnuson, who said he is supportive of the ballot measure. He also sensed a victory.

"When push comes to shove, we come around to passing them," he said of other school funding efforts.

Tags: z-m referendum, news, education, zumbrota, mazeppa