The Murray County Central School District is asking voters to approve a capital projects levy referendum at a special election on Tuesday, May 9.
If passed, the levy would generate up to $530,000 per year for the next decade, providing a much-needed financial boost to the district.
MCC Superintendent Joe Meyer said point blank that there’s just not enough revenue compared to what the expenditures are when it comes to balancing the budget. And while the district has previously dipped into the general fund for capital projects, the reallocation can’t continue year after year. “We’re trying to revive our general fund,” Meyer said.
“Money is currently being taken out of our general fund for capital expenditures such as roofs, boilers and textbooks. We’ve made budget cuts of $400,000 over the last few years and we’re at the point where we can’t cut anymore without cutting programming for our students.”
No one wants to see less opportunities for the students, but despite being financially conservative over time, the district is looking at having to make really tough decisions that are likely to impact students in the future. “The bottom line is that the state has underfunded us,” Meyer said. “The rate of inflation is widening and continues to widen.
That’s why all districts are feeling that pinch. The rate of inflation is not keeping up with what the state is providing us. And in order to maintain what we currently have as far as programming and the needs for our students, we need to raise some additional funds.”
The last time the district asked voters for new operating funds was in 2006, and the voters approved the capital levy. There was also a request for financial help in 2017 for the district’s building addition. “We’re not looking to spend dollars on anything new,” Meyer said. “We’re trying to shift dollars that we’ve spent from the general fund. The levy includes a max amount of $530,000 per year.
The (school) board can under levy that if they don’t think that much is needed, but it can’t go over that amount.”
Meyer added that capital money can only be used for capital expenditures and that the district plans to utilize the levy dollars in five significant areas. Technology is the first focus area. Due to rapid advancements in technology, the district has had a difficult time maintaining its original student device replacement plan.
Other financial burdens include the maintenance of machines, necessary software, technology staff and contracted services.
An approved levy would also provide financial assistance toward the maintenance and renovation of existing sites and facilities — the high for that.”
The third area includes textbooks, curriculum materials and equipment, as well as musical instruments. The district replaces those when the items are outdated due to evolving state standards or are no longer in working condition.
An approved capital projects levy would also provide funding assistance for safety and security needs. “Technology and safety and security are two huge expenditure areas,” Meyer said. “We didn’t have that 15-20 years ago. Now, safety and security is a big one, making sure our buildings and our students and staff are safe, but it’s an expenditure that doesn’t come with a revenue stream.”
The fifth area of focus is the district’s fleet of five vehicles utilized for the transportation of students. To meet the needs of the students and keep vehicles in a safe condition by meeting the 12-year limit law, all five vehicles will need to be replaced over the next 10 years. “We do contract for busing, but we also have vans and cars that we can transport a number of students in for smaller events,” Meyer said. “The vans can transport nine students or less.”
Last Wednesday, nearly 30 people were in attendance for the informational public meeting regarding the capital projects levy. “People asked really good questions,” Meyer said. “It was a good opportunity for them to get some clarification. The main purpose of the meeting is to make sure people are informed and can make an informed decision on the election.”
As far as tax impact on voters, it varies. On a residential home with a $200,000 estimated market value, voters would be looking at an additional $63 a year — $5.25 per month. On a commercial or industrial property with an estimated market value of $250,000, the tax impact would be an additional $149 a year — $12.42 per month. Agriculture homestead property valued at $6,000 per acre would see an increase of $1.05 per acre. Agriculture non-homestead property valued at $6,000 per acre would see an increase of $2.10 per acre. “Financial advisors answered a lot of those questions at the meeting,” Meyer said. “The tax impact sheet was included in that information, so people could see what it would cost (if the levy passed).”
If passed, the levy goes into effect in 2024 and will be applicable for 10 years, providing roughly $5.3 million in educational funding for the district. If the levy vote fails, Meyer said school board members would have to decide whether or not to go out for another vote — August would be the earliest — or look at what people and programs to cut in order to have a balanced budget. “There would be some really hard decisions,” he said. “We want to make sure people are aware of that.”
No other public meetings are planned, but there are plenty of opportunities to get additional information prior to May 9 — voting is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Slayton Senior Center at 2451 Broadway Avenue. Early voting and absentee voting are also available. Meyer invites anyone with questions to call or stop by the district office.
The MCC website also includes valuable information and provides a link to two presentations regarding the levy referendum. Go to: www. mcc.mntm.org/article/1051409.
