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Regu 1 a r--Counc i-1-.Mee t i ng -- - <br /> September 25, 1990 <br /> page 6 <br /> 1 <br /> The debt service was retired as the capital bonds were paid off. The <br /> 2 second factor is there was a $260,000 error made by the County which <br /> 3 resulted in an incease of that amount in 1988-1989. The third reason <br /> 4 is that tax law changes shifted a large portion of state aid funds to <br /> 5 the school districts away from cities. <br /> 6 <br /> 7 The Mayor felt residents should be informed that they were previously <br /> 8 paying school taxes at an .higher level , 59% tax capacity before it <br /> 9 dropped last year to approximately 33%. It was noted this percentage <br /> 10 will raise again but the reason for its decline should be made clear. <br /> 11 Shapely agreed. <br /> 12 Councilmember Marks advised that about seventeen years ago he had served <br /> 13on a Declining Enrollment Task Force in the School District. He noted that <br /> 14 5 at that time the District had very low administrative costs. He inquired <br /> 15 <br /> how today's administrative costs compared to. surrounding school districts. <br /> 17 Shapely responded that administrative costs are higher as there are <br /> 18 fewer students and these costs also include non-instructional personnel <br /> 19 _salaries. <br /> 20 <br /> 21 Michael Volna, School Board Chairperson, stated that School District #282 <br /> 22 is the second smallest district in the State, but offers quality education <br /> �3 in that 70% of the District' s teachers have their Master Degree. He also <br /> 24 noted the dissolution or .reorganization of the District would not save <br /> 25 any taxpayer dollars. • <br /> 26 <br /> 27 June Stuhr, a resident, stated she and her family moved to St. Anthony <br /> 28 because of the opportunities for quality education. She feels the District <br /> �9 is unique and provides a very positive atmosphere for academic achievement. <br /> 30 Mrs. Stuhr is of the opinion that property values would ,decrease if the <br /> 31 School District were dissolved. Sherry Granrud, also a' resident, shared <br /> 32 Mrs. Stuhr's opinions and feels opportunities afforded her children in <br /> 33 school are very valuable. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 The Director of Community Services stated that whatever avenue the <br /> 36 School District takes will impact on the community services programs. <br /> 37 Dissolution would cease all operation of the Department. Tuitioning or <br /> 38 closing portions of the School District would seriously handicap some <br /> 39 of the Department's activities and deny the use of some facilities. <br /> 40 <br /> ,41 Councilmember Enrooth said that 83% of the City's residents do not have <br /> 42 children in school . He felt an important factor to be stressed is that a <br /> 43 large percentage of community residents do participate in community <br /> 44 service programs. Every age group would be impacted if these programs were <br /> 45 d i scone i:nued. .. _ - . .-. .r; ... <br /> 46 <br /> 47 Councilmember Wagner observed that there would also be an impact on property <br /> 48 values if the Referendum is not approved. <br /> 49 . <br /> 49 Motion by Wagner to endorse the Referendum passage. Mayor Ranallo suggested • <br />