In a unanimous vote, the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose school board approved a levy referendum proposal at their August 27 meeting. Voters will consider three levy questions, along with four open school board positions, during the November 6 election. Funds for each levy question are clearly earmarked for the next 10 years, beginning in the 2008-09 school year.

1. Maintain current programs, services and class sizes: $3,239,937 per year
2. Replace and upgrade technology: $655,743 per year
3. Reduce class sizes and add K-8 programs of choice: $590,155 per year

If the dollar amounts of all three questions are combined, the tax impact on a $200,000 home in the district would be $295 per year; that is only about $0.81 per day.

A levy referendum is used for operating costs that the school district incurs throughout the year. Funds help to pay for expenses such as supplies, utilities and salaries. This is not to be confused with a bond referendum, in which funds are used for capital projects such as building schools, repairs and furniture.

The school board also unanimously approved budget reduction targets for the 2008-09 ($1.75 million) and 2009-10 ($1.5 million) school years should the levy referendum fail to receive voter approval. A detailed reduction plan will be discussed and finalized by the school board during the September board meetings.

Information meetings about the November 6 levy referendum have been set:

• Buffalo—September 25 from 7-8 p.m. in the Discovery Center Board Room
• Hanover—September 27 from 7-8 p.m. in the Hanover Elementary Media Center
• Montrose—September 27 from 7-8 p.m. in the Montrose Elementary Media Center

School district residents will hear a presentation about the levy and will have an opportunity to ask questions. If residents are unable to attend any of the meetings, a hotline and email have been established where questions and comments can be made:

Hotline: 763-682-0877
Email: levy2007@buffalo.k12.mn.us

A response, if needed, can be expected within 24-48 hours, Monday through Friday.

More information about the referendum will also be published in upcoming district Insider newsletters.

If your organization would like to have a short presentation about the levy made to your group, please contact Anita Underberg in the superintendent’s office at 763-682-8706.