Minnesota School Districts face funding crisis

School Districts across the State of Minnesota are dealing with a funding crisis. The education funding formula provided by the State of Minnesota is failing to keep up with the rate of inflation and the costs of operating a school district.

The Minnesota current funding formula provides $7,281 dollars per pupil in revenue. Due to legislation failing to keep pace with inflation and rising costs a gap of approximately $1,264 dollars per pupil exists. If the current funding formula adjusted with inflation, the State of Minnesota would provide districts $8,645 dollars per pupil.

The inadequate formula has failed to keep pace with inflation and rising costs is creating budget shortfalls for school districts across the State of Minnesota. As a result, school districts in Minnesota rely on district voter approved Operating Referendums to generate the necessary revenue to pay for expenses associated with operating a school district. Those costs include but are not limited to: Transportation, Food Service, Building Maintenance, Classroom Supplies, Heating and Fuel expenses, Technology and Staffing.

As a result of inadequate funding, many school districts in the surrounding NW Minnesota area and throughout Minnesota are being forced to increase class sizes, reduce staff members, eliminate or condense bus routes, reduce or eliminate a number of educational programs, eliminate extracurricular activities and even close school buildings or consolidate districts to make ends meet.

See graph 1 below.

Funds generated as a result of school district resident voter approved referendums do not provide additional funds for school district “wants” or “luxury” items within a school....rather funds generated by an operating referendum generate necessary funding required to continue providing a level of service and educational programming a community has come to expect and students deserve.

Minnesota School Districts with voter approved

Operating Referendums

• 235 School Districts (72%) in Minnesota rely on voter approved Operating Referendums to provide necessary funding for operating expenses.

• Minnesota School District Average Operating Referendum in Minnesota is $1,206.00 per pupil.

• Roseau School District Operating Referendum is $226.84 per pupil.

Did You Know

• The average district resident voter approved Operating Referendum in twelve neighboring districts in Northwest Minnesota is $1,493.33 per pupil.

• Roseau School District voter approved Operating Referendum is $226.84 per pupil.

See graph 2 below.

Roseau School Board

takes steps to address

funding shortfall

The Roseau School Board voted 5-1 to approve a resolution calling for a new Referendum Revenue Authorization of $1,050.00 per pupil. If approved, the Operating Referendum will fill the funding gap that exists and allow the Roseau School District to continue to provide services the community of Roseau has received over the years and our students deserve.

Roseau School District residents will have the opportunity to vote on this during the November 5th election.

More Information

to be provided

In the upcoming weeks community meetings will take place, mailings will be provided and articles will appear detailing the impact of a new Operating Referendum Revenue Authorization including specifics on additional funding to be generated with voter support as well as tax impact. Please call anytime if you have any questions regarding our school district or proposed operating levy. I may be reached directly at 218-463-6366.

As always, thank you for all that you do for the Roseau School District. Working together we will continue to do the very best we can to meet the needs of each and every student within our district. We are stronger together.

Respectfully,

Tom Jerome, Superintendent

Roseau School District