Pierz School Board Moves Forward - Referendum Vote Will Be April 10
Pierz School Board Sets April 10 Referendum
New proposal is $8.8 million less (or about half the cost) of the last referendum
At the regular board meeting January 24, the Pierz School Board approved a resolution setting April 10, 2018 for a referendum to invest in its school facilities.
“Here at Pierz Schools, we have some facilities challenges,” said Steve Boser, Clerk of the Pierz School Board. “The band room and elementary gym can’t accommodate all of our students. The parking lot is unsafe, the kitchen is inadequate, and too many children are housed in temporary, outdoor classrooms.”
In a process that began last summer, the school board engaged the community in a conversation that led to the new proposal. A public opinion survey was conducted, community engagement meetings were held, and a Facilities Committee, which included community members, met to explore options on how to solve facility challenges.
“In our survey,” said George Weber, superintendent, “80 percent said they would support additional elementary classrooms, and more than 60 percent said they would support elementary gym space, band room, parking lot, and kitchen/cafeteria improvements, so those are the things included in this plan.”
The one-question referendum is for a building bond just under $10 million. The last referendum, held in May 2017, was for $18.75 million. The new proposal is $8.8 million less, and does not include an auditorium and a number of other improvements that community members felt were unnecessary.
Besides the new proposal, other changes make now the right time to bring a new proposal to the voters, according to Joanne Broschofsky, board member. “The school board is planning to cap open-enrollment, which was a major concern of the community,” she said. “And, the state approved a 40% tax credit on school bond levies for agricultural property. We feel this will help keep costs down for farmers in an area with historically low taxes.” In addition, 67 percent of survey respondents said they wanted the school district to refine the plan based on feedback and ask for voter support of a new proposal.
The district strives to manage taxpayer dollars wisely; school property taxes are lower than the state average and the lowest of all neighboring school districts. If the referendum is approved, property taxes will still be among the lowest in the area.
If approved, the cost to homeowners will be $140 per year, or $11.67 per month on a $132,000 home, the average home value in Pierz.
Pierz Schools will be making a concerted effort to provide information to the community by sending direct mail to residents, making presentations to community groups, and communicating through the district website, email, and social media. For more information, please contact Superintendent George Weber at 320-468-6458 or gweber@pierz.k12.mn.us
New proposal is $8.8 million less (or about half the cost) of the last referendum
At the regular board meeting January 24, the Pierz School Board approved a resolution setting April 10, 2018 for a referendum to invest in its school facilities.
“Here at Pierz Schools, we have some facilities challenges,” said Steve Boser, Clerk of the Pierz School Board. “The band room and elementary gym can’t accommodate all of our students. The parking lot is unsafe, the kitchen is inadequate, and too many children are housed in temporary, outdoor classrooms.”
In a process that began last summer, the school board engaged the community in a conversation that led to the new proposal. A public opinion survey was conducted, community engagement meetings were held, and a Facilities Committee, which included community members, met to explore options on how to solve facility challenges.
“In our survey,” said George Weber, superintendent, “80 percent said they would support additional elementary classrooms, and more than 60 percent said they would support elementary gym space, band room, parking lot, and kitchen/cafeteria improvements, so those are the things included in this plan.”
The one-question referendum is for a building bond just under $10 million. The last referendum, held in May 2017, was for $18.75 million. The new proposal is $8.8 million less, and does not include an auditorium and a number of other improvements that community members felt were unnecessary.
Besides the new proposal, other changes make now the right time to bring a new proposal to the voters, according to Joanne Broschofsky, board member. “The school board is planning to cap open-enrollment, which was a major concern of the community,” she said. “And, the state approved a 40% tax credit on school bond levies for agricultural property. We feel this will help keep costs down for farmers in an area with historically low taxes.” In addition, 67 percent of survey respondents said they wanted the school district to refine the plan based on feedback and ask for voter support of a new proposal.
The district strives to manage taxpayer dollars wisely; school property taxes are lower than the state average and the lowest of all neighboring school districts. If the referendum is approved, property taxes will still be among the lowest in the area.
If approved, the cost to homeowners will be $140 per year, or $11.67 per month on a $132,000 home, the average home value in Pierz.
Pierz Schools will be making a concerted effort to provide information to the community by sending direct mail to residents, making presentations to community groups, and communicating through the district website, email, and social media. For more information, please contact Superintendent George Weber at 320-468-6458 or gweber@pierz.k12.mn.us
