Mound Westonka School Board Sends Funding Requests to Voters

The Westonka School Board has approved asking voters to decide on three funding requests this November: an operating levy and two maintenance bonds.

“We spent countless hours reviewing our financial situation given the current economic challenges and our district’s needs,” said School Board Chair David Botts. “These three questions allow us to live within our means by simply maintaining what we have. Maintaining our operating levy is critical to our ability to provide a quality educational program. Maintaining our buildings is important because aging facilities can negatively impact the learning environment, as well as put the operating budget at risk.”

The first request that will appear on the Nov 8 ballot asks voters to renew an existing operating levy to help pay for teachers, instructional materials and other learning supports. Extending the levy will not result in a tax and would continue funding previously approved by voters. Approval of the levy would help provide financial stability, enabling the district to maintain its commitment to strong educational programs that deliver results, according to the school district.

If the levy is not renewed, the district would have to cut $1,640,095, or 7 percent of its budget—equivalent to approximately 33 teachers.

The second and third questions are bonding requests to provide maintenance of the district’s facilities. Westonka Schools owns and operates four schools, a district education center and a transportation building—some of which are 50-60 years old. Major maintenance requests require voter approval, as annual capital budgets only provide for routine maintenance.

Question two would fund immediate deferred maintenance needs on all district-owned buildings, providing $23.3 million to address parking lots, roofs, exteriors, mechanical/electrical systems and technology infrastructure. The tax impact on the average district home would be $9 per month.

Question three would fund additional improvements to the learning environment, safety and accessibility, providing an additional $6.6 million to make needed updates to bathrooms, locker rooms, playgrounds, kitchens, athletic field maintenance and building security.

The tax impact on the average district home would be $4.50 per month. Question three can only pass if question two passes.

Westonka Schools currently has the lowest effective tax rate in Hennepin County, according to the school district. Test scores consistently rank among the top in the state, and the district has received numerous awards for co-curricular programs.