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i �rxa <br />ty of <br />fMgo <br />Memorandum <br />To: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />From: Taylor Richter, Administrative Intern <br />Date: December 30, 2015 for City Council Meeting January 4, 2015 <br />Re: Withrow Elementary Closure <br />Currently, a discussion is underway with the Stillwater Public School District regarding <br />the closure of three elementary schools; namely, Withrow Elementary, Marine Elementary, and <br />Oak Park Elementary. The reason for the closure is due to capacity and financial arguments. <br />However, many constituents disagree with the argument and claim better solutions are more viable. <br />Furthermore, the most current bond passed regarding the school district, in 2014, and the levy of <br />2013, gave constituents the impression that the levy and bond were not necessary if the district <br />planned on retaining additional fiends from the closure of three schools. Considering all factors, it <br />creates an interesting debate. <br />In this memo, the specifics of the levy and bond referendums will be discussed in relation <br />to the situation at hand. Continuing the discussion, the B.O.L.D. Plan sets the stage for the closure <br />of the three elementary schools. Furthermore, the implications of the closure will be detailed along <br />with the current positions of involved individuals and organizations. <br />The 2013 Levy and the 2014 Bond <br />Otherwise referred to as the "Levy," passed with 63% majority. According to the Our <br />Schools Our Valley website, the first levy was initially approved in 2007 and expired at the end of <br />the 2013-2014 school year. The purpose of the previous, and most current, levy concerned the <br />annual budget. Approximately $1,005 per student originates from the fiend generated by the levy. <br />Without the levy, the school would experience $11 million in board -approved budget cuts. <br />Specifically, the three issues addressed by the levy are financial stability, strategic plan: <br />bridge to excellence, and safety & security. This would ensure the capability of the school district <br />to appropriately fund each student; update curriculum, training, and opportunity; and create <br />controlled access to schools, among other measures. In overarching terms, according to the <br />Stillwater Public School District, the levy supports current programs, avoids budget cuts, recreates <br />how students learn and better prepare them for the future, add secure entrances with quick response <br />systems, and expand mental health measures and initiatives. <br />Although never distinctly mentioned, many resources report that the levy would "maintain <br />existing programs." This is the language that seems to be the most arguable for constituents. <br />Although the language is vague, the largest gap in the levy in relation to the issue at hand is no <br />mention of future closures and/or re -capacitating the district. Regarding this issue, as stated by the <br />Stillwater Public School District: "When the levy was passed in 2013 we knew we'd have to <br />continue to find efficiencies in the system." In fact, the levy proposed cut list that was shared in <br />2013 stated; "Some items on this list may need to be acted on to make up for our annual budget <br />shortfall caused by inflation and rising costs or to fund new strategic planning initiatives even if a <br />