A:An operating referendum seeks voter permission for a school ... community valuesâhigh quality teachers and staff, sm
SCHOOL PAGES Fall 2017-18
A Message from Superintendent Les Fujitake
Chance for community to confirm its values
CAST YOUR VOTE Voting is easy! Early voting is now open, and Minnesota allows legal residents to vote early. This is a convenient option for busy parents, residents and college students.
n Voter Registration Are you registered? Check your registration status and register to vote online at mnvotes.org. Or register in person when you vote early or on Election Day. Voter registration applications for nonEnglish-speaking residents are available at bit.ly/register-on-paper.
n Absentee and Early Voting Vote early by mail: bit.ly/vote-early-by-mail Vote early in person: Bloomington Civic Plaza 1800 W Old Shakopee Road Regular hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Superintendent Les Fujitake and Mayor Gene Winstead greet Olson Elementary School students and families on the first day of school.
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ach year I have the opportunity to participate in a host of school and community events. In almost all cases, parents, grandparents, current and former students, business leaders and community residents young and old share uniquely personal stories about their time or experience with our schools. The stories share a similar theme: you are proud of this city and its schools. I am honored to share this deep sense of pride with you. As a community, we share the responsibility to strengthen our schools by embracing new opportunities, expanding efforts to improve student learning and achievement and addressing challenges brought on by a time of great change in our schools and city. The needs of students are also growing but at the same time, federal and state funding has not kept pace with inflation.
We are at a time when our commitment to schools will be called upon again. A chance for our community to confirm what it values in its schools: high quality teachers and staff, small class sizes, small neighborhood schools and innovative programming. The decision to maintain what we have and invest further in our schools and children is an important one for every Bloomington resident. It is a decision I hope will be thoughtfully considered as it not only affects our young people, but all those who call this wonderful community home. Please take a few minutes to read more about the Strong Schools, Strong Community operating referendum in this special edition of School Pages. You’ll also find information on how and where to vote. Thank you for your continued support. We sincerely appreciate your trust and partnership.
Extended hours: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
n College Students Students attending college who wish to vote must complete an absentee ballot application at bit.ly/vote-early-by-mail. An absentee ballot with a postage-paid envelope will be mailed to the student’s college residence address. Absentee ballots must be received on or before Election Day, Tuesday, November 7. Applications may be returned by mail (City Clerk’s Office, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, MN, 55431), or in person. Students who have a fall break or are home for a visit may also vote in person at Civic Plaza during the early voting hours listed above.
n Election Day November 7 Polls are open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. See page 3 for Election Day polling locations.
Referendum Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is an operating referendum? A: An operating referendum seeks voter permission for a school district to receive additional levy revenues to fund essential operating expenses, like salaries, utilities, curriculum and transportation.
Welcome to this special referendum issue of School Pages. We hope you’ll find this information helpful in making an informed decision. Our current operating referendum was approved in 2007. It provides $17.1 million in annual funding, which is the state-allowed maximum in per-pupil funding. The operating referendum funds day-today operations, including teacher and staff salaries, curriculum, utilities and transportation. The current referendum is set to expire next year. If approved, the operating referendum will be renewed for another 10 years at the state-allowed funding maximum. This will result in $465 more per student and put us on par with our neighboring school districts' operating referendums.
Referendum resources will allow the district to... n attract and retain quality teachers despite the teacher shortage in Minnesota n offset the impact of reductions we are expecting from the federal education budget n remain competitive with our neighboring school districts
n invest in the future of education
n maintain the vitality of the greater Bloomington community Learn more at bloomingtonschools.org/referendum.
Community Survey Results
Minnesota’s education funding system is based on a state and local partnership to provide the resources and opportunities our students need. Bloomington Public Schools, like nearly every district in Minnesota, relies on voter-approved referendum funds for its operating budget. Local property taxes provide 11.4 percent of the district’s operating budget. The state’s share of the district’s operating revenue is 74.4 percent. Q: Why is the district asking for more money? A: Our revenues are not sufficient to cover annual operating costs. Over the past five years the district has spent down its savings (known as a fund balance) by $14.1 million. Q: Didn’t we just pass a referendum? Why does the district need more money? A: Voters approved a capital projects referendum in 2013 to make our schools safer and more secure, and to keep pace with rapidly changing classroom technology. The funds cannot be used for the same purpose as operating referendum funds. The capital projects referendum provides funding through 2024. Q: Is the district overspending? A: We’ve been investing our savings to provide what the community values—high quality teachers and staff, small class sizes, small neighborhood schools and innovative programming. Q: Why doesn’t the district reduce its spending? A: The district has reduced operating expenses by $7.5 million to direct most of the budget to the classroom and learning activities. We allocate over 85 percent of our operating budget to instruction and curriculum, which is higher than the state average of 82 percent and among the highest of our neighboring districts. In comparison, we spend less on maintenance and transportation costs in large part because of efficiencies in staffing and management. Q: Why should I care about the operating referendum if I don’t have children in Bloomington Public Schools? A: Studies show that strong schools and a strong community go hand in hand. The benefits of a strong school system supported by all residents are vital to a thriving community, including: n maintaining and increasing property values as a result of attracting families. Bloomington is aging, thus the need to attract families with young children to keep a balanced demographic.
81% In a recent survey, 81 percent of our residents said we demonstrate accountability for the quality of education provided to students.
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87% 87 percent of residents believe the community receives a good value from its investment in our schools.
SCHOOL PAGES | www.bloomingtonschools.org
n providing a qualified workforce n creating a strong sense of community Conversely, there’s also research that shows the wide-ranging negative impact when communities cut their investment in public schools, including reductions in personal income and earning potential and declining property values. For over 100 years, Bloomington Public Schools has been a strong school district thanks to the investment of its parents, staff and community.
Precincts and Polling Locations
26. Transfiguration Lutheran Church 11000 France Avenue S. Main entrance (W)
RAILW AY
23
16
OSR (OLD SHAKOPEE RD)
14. Mount Hope Lutheran Church 3601 West Old Shakopee Road Main entrance (S)
25 MN
13
RA I
OSR
110TH
26
Y LWA
14
ILE
PORTLAND
LYNDALE
I-35W
NICOLLET
9
10
108TH
15
92ND
94TH OS
R
NORTH R
98TH
1
104TH 106TH
103TH
7
VE
30
6
3
RI
12
32
11
E M
27
90TH
NI N
13. Bloomington Covenant Church 10150 Xerxes Avenue South Main entrance (E)
BLMGTN FERRY
PIONEER TRAIL
102ND
86TH
PORTLAND
K ROM
LINDST
24
22
31
I-494
2
M
N
8
I-35W
SH L
94TH
20
4
R
18
E BU
BU
21
29
84TH
KE
SH L A
9 16
W
11. Bloomington Civic Plaza 1800 West Old Shakopee Road East entrance
5
19
H I G HWO
28
10. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 1701 West Old Shakopee Road Northeast entrance
12. Crosspoint Church 9801 France Avenue South Main entrance
I-494
17
OD
9. Nativity of Mary Catholic Church 9900 Lyndale Avenue South Main entrance (Door 9)
PENN
8. Grace Covenant Church 10201 Nicollet Avenue South Southeast entrance
32. Oxboro Evangelical Free Church 9431 Nicollet Avenue South North entrance
CEDAR
20. St. Mark’s United Church of Christ 8630 Xerxes Avenue South South entrance
25. Bethany Church 6900 Auto Club Road West entrance
COLUMBUS 10TH
OS
7. Atonement Lutheran Church 601 E. Old Shakopee Road Southwest entrance
30. Oak Grove Presbyterian Church 2200 West Old Shakopee Road Main entrance 31. St. Bonaventure Catholic Church—Social Hall 901 East 90th Street Main entrance
19. St. Stephen Lutheran Church 8400 France Avenue South Main entrance (W)
MORGAN
6. Bloomington Lutheran Church 9350 Portland Avenue South Main entrance
29. Christ the King Lutheran Church 8600 Fremont Avenue South Southwest entrance
School 10600 Bloomington Ferry Road Main entrance (S)
ABBOTT
5. Southtown Baptist Church 2600 West 82nd Street Main entrance (W)
18. The Church of St. Edward’s 9401 Nesbitt Avenue South SW entrance—upper level
FRANCE
4. Unity South Church 7950 1st Avenue South Main entrance
28. Bloomington Fire Station #6 8601 Lakeview Road Main entrance
22. St. Michael’s Lutheran 16. Normandale Hylands United Church Methodist Church 9201 Normandale Boulevard 9920 Normandale Blvd. South Main entrance (E) NE entrance (left doors) 23. Community of the Cross 17. Hyland Hills Ski Chalet Lutheran Church New Location For 2017 10701 Bloomington Election Ferry Road 8800 Chalet Road Main entrance (N) Main entrance 24. Bloomington Lutheran
DREW
3. Cedar Valley Church 8600 Bloomington Avenue South entrance (Door 3)
27. Bethany Gymnasium 6900 Auto Club Road Main entrance (S)
21. Hyland Visitors Center 10145 Bush Lake Road West entrance
JOHNSON
2. Portland Avenue United Methodist Church 8000 Portland Avenue South Main entrance
15. MN Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 10715 Zenith Avenue South Main entrance
NORMANDALE
1. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Building 3815 American Boulevard East West entrance
C R EEK
1
R R IVE
Precinct
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 271 (BLOOMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS) STATE OF MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election has been called and will be held in and for Independent School District No. 271 (Bloomington Public Schools), State of Minnesota, on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, for the purpose of voting on the following question:
School District Question 1 Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization The School Board of Independent School District No. 271 (Bloomington Public Schools) has proposed to revoke the school district’s existing operating referendum revenue authorization of $1,502.15 per pupil and to replace that authorization with a new authorization of $1,995.00 per pupil. The school district’s actual referendum revenue authorization for any year shall not exceed the statutory maximum for that year. The proposed new referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years, beginning with taxes payable in 2018, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. the school district’s existing operating referendum revenue YES Shall authorization be revoked and the increase in revenue proposed by NO the School Board of Independent School District No. 271 be approved? BY VOTING “YES” ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
Market Value The annual dollar increases for typical residential homesteads, apartments, commercial-industrial properties, and most other classes of property within the school district are as shown in the table below. Estimated Market Value
Estimated Dollar Increase
$100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000
$42 $53 $63 $74 $85
$225,000
$96
$230,000 $250,000 $300,000 $350,000
$98 $107 $128 $149
The figures in the table are based on school district taxes for the operating referendum only, and do not include tax levies for other purposes. Tax increases shown above are gross increases, not including the impact of the Minnesota Homestead Credit Refund program. Many owners of homestead property will qualify for a refund, based on their income and total property taxes. This will decrease the net effect of the referendum levy for many property owners.
Source: Ehlers, an independent municipal financial advisory firm.
SCHOOL PAGES | www.bloomingtonschools.org
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IN THE KNOW School Board Candidates The Bloomington School Board has four seats on the ballot in the Nov. 7 election. The terms of board members Tom Bennett, Ric Oliva, Jim Sorum and Dawn Steigauf end Jan. 1, 2018. Bennett, Steigauf and Sorum have filed for re-election, along with candidates Beth Beebe, John Moravec, Julie Morse, Mike Poke, Paige Rohman, Dan Stirratt, Jane Stoa and Marcia Sytsma.
Personal Growth Plans
POINTS OF PRIDE
Bloomington students in grades 6-8 began developing a Personal Growth Plan (PGP) this year. Designed to inspire students to think about and plan for what they would like to pursue after graduation, the PGP combines data, such as GPA, attendance, and test score history, with activities focusing on career and college readiness and life skills. PGPs were implemented for high school students last year. The PGP activities build on prior years' experience helping students to make informed choices for high school and beyond.
and Grady Cromer, Elias Sinner and George Thielen (Kennedy) are candidates for a merit scholarship award to be awarded this spring.
Performing Arts Calendar Jefferson HS choir concert
Oct. 24
7 p.m.
Jefferson HS indoor marching band concert
Oct. 27-29
7 p.m.
Jefferson HS indoor marching band concert
Oct. 29
Kennedy HS musical: Beauty and the Beast
Oct. 26-28
7 p.m.
Kennedy HS musical: Beauty and the Beast
Oct. 29
2 p.m.
Olson MS one act plays: Thumbelina and If The Shoe Fits, Buy It!
Nov. 9-10
6 p.m.
Oak Grove MS 6-8th grade choir concert
Nov. 16
5:30, 6:30, 7:30 p.m.
Jefferson HS senior preview: The Little Princess
Nov. 15
3:30 p.m.
Jefferson HS play: The Little Princess
Nov. 16-19
Kennedy HS show choir pasta dinner
Nov. 17
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Jefferson HS play: The Little Princess
Nov. 19
3 p.m.
Oak Grove MS 6-8th grade band and jazz concert
Dec. 5
7:30 p.m.
Oak Grove MS orchestra concert
Dec. 7
7 p.m.
Kennedy HS Holiday Shows band
Dec. 7-9
7 p.m.
Valley View MS choir concert
Dec. 11
7 p.m.
Valley View MS 7-8th grade band concert
Dec. 14
7 p.m.
Jefferson HS winter band concert
Dec. 12
7 p.m.
Kennedy HS winter band concert
Dec. 14
7 p.m.
2 p.m., 7 p.m.
7 p.m.
School Pages is published by Bloomington Public Schools 1350 W. 106th Street Bloomington, MN 55431-4126 www.bloomingtonschools.org
ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL POSTAL CUSTOMER
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit #2086 Bloomington ISD 271 Educational Services Center 1350 West 106th Street Bloomington, MN 55431-4126
n Another nine students have earned National Merit Commended Student status, which recognizes students performing in the top 5 percent of all entrants on the qualifying test. Commended Students include Umaimah Ahmed, Dana Bureac, Camille Jones, Adeline Vacura and Nathan Wandmacher (Jefferson) and Gunner Anderson, Alana Harste, Julian Redish and Lia Thomson (Kennedy).
School Pages is printed and delivered by mail to 39,000 Bloomington households at a cost of 16 cents per copy to inform Bloomington residents about their public schools.
n Joan Gunderson (above, left), a licensed school nurse at Jefferson and Kennedy high schools, received the Outstanding School Nurse Award from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. The award recognizes top healthcare professionals in the Twin Cities area. n The Jefferson Football Team’s n Normandale Hills Elementary annual fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project was School has earned a Minnesota a success, raising more than School of Excellence designation $2,500. Funds were raised with by the Minnesota Elementary the help of the entire Jefferson School Principals’ Association community, and donors RBCU, (MESPA). The Minnesota School Joe Senser's and the Augustine of Excellence Program is a Brothers. Now in its eighth year, school improvement process the fundraiser has brought in that assesses standards for more than $26,000 for the WWP. quality elementary schools, including leadership, vision, n Jefferson alumni Matt Rens and student learning, staff Jessie Richards traveled the development, data and entire length of the Mississippi decision-making and active River this summer. They community engagement. covered the 2,300 miles in 51 n Seven Jefferson and Kennedy seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. David Floeder, Joshua Lueth, Kenny Peng and Samuel Vacura (Jefferson)
days. The journey raised more than $12,000 for Lifewater, an organization that provides clean water and sanitation to villages in third world countries.
Editor: Rick J. Kaufman, APR Executive Director of Community Relations 952.681.6403 Writers: Andrea George, Kate Martin Photos: Andrea George 2017 Bloomington School Board Ric Oliva, Chair Tom Bennett, Vice Chair Nelly Korman, Clerk Jim Sorum, Treasurer Maureen Bartolotta, Director Dick Bergstrom, Director Dawn Steigauf, Director Superintendent Les Fujitake, Ex Officio
Valley View Elementary School Principal Cori Thompson and students cut the ribbon on the school’s new playground this fall. The City of Bloomington shares the cost of our school playgrounds as a shared community asset. Photo by Jon Lee
