2008 Woodie Awards
If the levy breaks, so may Duluth schools
Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: Opinion
The following is a guest editorial by UMD student Amanda Powers.
I am a student at UMD, lifetime resident of Duluth and graduate of Duluth Central High School. It's as all of these things that I am terrified for the future of my home and its schools.
Duluth is on the verge of making or breaking its School District budget. The deciding factor: the operating levy of the Nov. 4 election.
If the levy doesn't pass, the district will have to make $7 million in cuts. What's on the chopping block? Everything from reducing the school year by 29 days via lengthening the remaining school days (to nearly nine hours a day) to cutting all extracurricular activities (sports, drama, music, clubs, etc.).
Entire educational experiences may be stripped to their bare minimum keeping only the basics of math, science, language arts, and social studies. Imagine your 13 years of schooling without sports, music, drama or even electives! Where would you be today if you had not had the support of your team, the camaraderie of music or the friends from drama? I, personally, cannot imagine surviving school without those experiences.
So why am I telling you? Because if you vote in Duluth, you have the unique opportunity to make a difference by voting "Yes, Yes, Yes" for the operating levy Nov. 4.
The operating levy has three progressive levels to vote for. Question one keeps the current rate of $365 per student and would not increase taxes. While helpful, it still forces the district to make $3 million in cuts. Question two gives the schools $700 per pupil and only increases taxes about $5/month. Question three allows for $1200 per student and increases taxes about $13.50/month. To vote for Question three, you must also vote "Yes" for questions one and two.
The operating levy will be used to fund extracurricular programs, in/after-school programs, books and materials for the classroom, specialists, teacher support and staff support.
To find out more information or become actively involved, please check out www.voteyesforkids.org or email voteyesforkids@gmail.com.
Every vote counts. Vote "Yes, Yes, Yes" Nov. 4!
I am a student at UMD, lifetime resident of Duluth and graduate of Duluth Central High School. It's as all of these things that I am terrified for the future of my home and its schools.
Duluth is on the verge of making or breaking its School District budget. The deciding factor: the operating levy of the Nov. 4 election.
If the levy doesn't pass, the district will have to make $7 million in cuts. What's on the chopping block? Everything from reducing the school year by 29 days via lengthening the remaining school days (to nearly nine hours a day) to cutting all extracurricular activities (sports, drama, music, clubs, etc.).
Entire educational experiences may be stripped to their bare minimum keeping only the basics of math, science, language arts, and social studies. Imagine your 13 years of schooling without sports, music, drama or even electives! Where would you be today if you had not had the support of your team, the camaraderie of music or the friends from drama? I, personally, cannot imagine surviving school without those experiences.
So why am I telling you? Because if you vote in Duluth, you have the unique opportunity to make a difference by voting "Yes, Yes, Yes" for the operating levy Nov. 4.
The operating levy has three progressive levels to vote for. Question one keeps the current rate of $365 per student and would not increase taxes. While helpful, it still forces the district to make $3 million in cuts. Question two gives the schools $700 per pupil and only increases taxes about $5/month. Question three allows for $1200 per student and increases taxes about $13.50/month. To vote for Question three, you must also vote "Yes" for questions one and two.
The operating levy will be used to fund extracurricular programs, in/after-school programs, books and materials for the classroom, specialists, teacher support and staff support.
To find out more information or become actively involved, please check out www.voteyesforkids.org or email voteyesforkids@gmail.com.
Every vote counts. Vote "Yes, Yes, Yes" Nov. 4!
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Donald Kinsey
posted 10/15/08 @ 6:31 PM CST
Restore Our Schools, a local grassroots organization would request the assistance from students attending UMD in helping our community by fighting to stop ISD 709's Red Plan, a plan that is and will continue to inflict massive financial burdens on the residents of this community for the next 20 years. (Continued…)
Kirsten
posted 10/15/08 @ 7:45 PM CST
It is absolutely imperative that it be noted there is absolutely no correlation between this bill and the Red Plan for Duluth Schools. If this bill does not get passed, due to the deficit in Duluth's economy, the lack of continued state funding, and the deficit in our nation's economy, our schools funds will significantly decrease regardless of which plan the school board implements. (Continued…)
Amanda
posted 10/15/08 @ 9:24 PM CST
I agree that the Red Plan was not handled in the most tactful manner and that a lot of Duluthians are upset with it. However, angry or not, it does not negate that Duluth Public Schools are in dire need of local funding to support programs (like sports, music, arts, etc), materials, books, teachers, and staff. (Continued…)
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