ISD #15 Levy SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS
http://www.stfrancislevy.com/
St. Francis Schools will lose up to $4.5 million in funding next year unless we vote YES this November
St. Francis Schools offer learning opportunities for students of all interests and abilities, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience to prepare them for life after graduation. Without the levy the district will be forced to cut programs and services, providing only the minimum required by the state. Our students deserve better than a minimum education, especially if they are to compete in a global marketplace. By supporting the levy, the local community will continue to have a say in how our local schools operate. Let’s preserve our tradition of a comprehensive education for all current and future students.
How Do Our Schools Provide Excellence in Student Learning and Money Management?
* Approximately 74.6% of public school districts in Minnesota receive more per student to educate their students than spent here in the St. Francis School District. That INCLUDES our current operating levy. Without the current operating levy our district would fall to the bottom 10% of districts for funding per student.
* Per the national school finance expert, APA, the cost of educating children in Minnesota to today’s performance standards is $7,500 in base education funding dollars per pupil. Our school district receives $6,254 per student in base education funding, including our current operating levy, and $7,096 in total education funding dollars per student (which includes special ed dollars, etc), both well below the $7,500.
* Our district is the winner of Minnesota’s Department of Education financial management awards for 3 out of the last 4 years. We are in the top 13% of public and private schools for finance management. The award recognizes the district’s fiscal responsibility and accountability.
* Moody’s upgraded District 15’s bond rating citing the district’s continuing financial stability as a reason for the upgrade. This means lowered interest costs and therefore lower costs to taxpayers.
* In school year 2006/2007, our school district and school level administration costs were lower than the state average by $176 per student, which amounts to over $1 million savings. The district has accomplished this despite being in an area where costs are 7% higher than the state average (per APA).
* Our schools have gone from statutory operating debt in 1999 (in the red $4.5 million) to back in the black with a small reserve - approximately 5% or $2.6 million in 2007. School districts should have reserves of 17% or two months payroll and expenses available ($8.84 million for our district).
* Our test scores compare and many EXCEED surrounding districts (Anoka Hennepin, Cambridge, Forest Lake and Elk River).
Subject: St Francis School Issues 
Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:07 pm
